MMA legal in which states now?

[GeneChing]

Last time I checked, MMA was legal in about half the states in the union. That was some time ago. Anyone got an up-to-date list? I surfed around a little for one, but I couldn't find one that was recent.

Granholm plans to allow mixed martial arts events
12/13/2007, 4:30 p.m. EST
The Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Jennifer Granholm plans to sign legislation aimed at regulating mixed martial arts events in Michigan.

Backers say the bills are needed to draw professional events such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship to the state. Opponents say Michigan shouldn't welcome a violent sport.

The legislation passed Thursday by a 23-13 vote in the state Senate.

It would expand state law covering boxing to include contests sponsored by mixed martial arts organizations.

The fights can include karate, judo and wrestling moves along with boxing. They're growing in popularity at arenas, on television and through pay-per-view events.

___

The mixed martial arts bills are House Bills 4869 and 4870.

[1bad65]

I don't know a full list, but I know it's legal in the following states:

Texas
Mississippi
Louisiana
Nevada
California

[LeeCasebolt]

Originally Posted by 1bad65

I don't know a full list, but I know it's legal in the following states:

Texas
Mississippi
Louisiana
Nevada
California

You can add Iowa, Illinois, Missouri (amateur only, I believe), Ohio, New Jersey, Florida, Arizona, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Washington to that list, just off the top of my head.

[GeneChing]

So this article gave me an excuse to ttt this thread. I'm still curious. Now I'm also curious to know what the legal status of amateur MMA fights is in other states too.

Anyone?

Amateur mixed martial arts shows illegal in state
By DENNIS TAYLOR
Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 01/26/2008 10:03:39 AM PST

Salinas promoter Michael MacNeill said Friday that today's amateur mixed martial arts show at Palma High was shut down in a 11th-hour ruling from California State Athletic Commission chief Armando Garcia, who told him amateur MMA shows are illegal in California.

The ruling, he said, came as a complete surprise particularly since he has staged previous amateur MMA shows in California with the blessing of the commission — and also because he had received a green light for this show from another commission official.

"We had received full approval from (commissioner) Frank Munoz, who was familiar with the other shows I've done," MacNeill said. "Frank said we had done a great job in our other shows, followed all the rules, and he sanctioned us for this one.

"But Armando Garcia called me Thursday, said the show was illegal, and told me he was pulling the plug. This was going to be a very safe event, with full headgear and protective equipment, no knees or kicks to the head ... we were taking every precaution. I respect Armando — he's just doing his job — but I wish he hadn't waited until two days before my show to make his ruling."

The event, more than two months in the planning, would have featured about a dozen MMA bouts, featuring fighters from 18-35 years old representing most of the martial arts academies from Central California, the Bay Area and as far away as Denver.

MacNeill said 1,400 people had purchased advance tickets, and he had invested more than $6,000 in the promotion that cannot be recovered.

"People who bought tickets can get a full refund at the place of purchase," said MacNeill, who plans to obtain a license to promote professional shows in the coming months. "We're honest people and they're all going to get their money back. We tried very hard to make this happen, and I want people to understand that (the cancellation) wasn't my fault."

· MMA promoter Michael MacNeill, IBF world cruiserweight champion Steve "USS" Cunningham, and Salinas junior welterweight contender Jesus "Chuy" Rodriguez will be this week's guests on The Ringside Boxing Show, which airs from 9-10 a.m. every Sunday on KNRY 1240-AM and www.knry.com. Listeners may join the conversation by calling 373-1234 or 1-800-887-3414.

The show is co-hosted by Dave Marzetti and Herald boxing columnist Dennis Taylor.

[1bad65]

Amateur MMA is legal in Texas.

[GeneChing]

Ain't drivin' w/an open container of beer and citizen's packing pistols legal in Texas too?

[GeneChing]

... all I can say is bless the Native Americans for their stalwart support of MMA on their sovereign lands

...err... I mean Native Canadians.

Illegal fight booked for reserve; Organizer holding Mixed Martial Arts event on Six Nations to get around ban
Posted By Susan Gamble
Posted 1 day ago

A controversial fighting event is planned for Six Nations next month despite being declared illegal in Ontario.

A Mixed Martial Arts championship - a full-contact sport that uses fighting techniques from boxing, wrestling, karate and kickboxing - will be held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on Second Line and Cayuga roads.

When the organizers held a similar event in November, more than 2,000 people showed up.

The Feb. 9 event will be much bigger, promises organizer Bill Monture.

hopes for sellout

"This time we'll probably sell out, which would be more than 5,000 people," says Monture. He added that people were leery to come out in November because the fights are banned in Ontario.

Now, he says, the VIP tables are almost sold out and the arena floor seating isn't far behind.

Monture, who has been promoting the sport for the last six months, portrays the event as a way of rebuilding community relationships that have been frayed by land claims issues and the events in Caledonia over the last two years.

Monture, his son, and a buddy, James Procyk of Hamilton, hatched the idea at a backyard barbecue of running a fight on reserve property to circumvent the Ontario ban.

"This is sovereign land," he explains.

Monture established the Grand River Athletics Commission and the Grand River Athletics Corp. The corporation organizes the event and the commission sanctions and oversees it.

Monture says the standards he's meeting are the same or higher than licensed events in the U.S. or in Quebec, where the fights are legal.

Fighters must have clean blood tests, for example, showing they don't have HIV or hepatitis C.

"Safety is the No. 1 factor," says Monture.

He went to the elected band council to ask for its blessing on the event but was turned down. Councillors wanted more information, uncertain whether they are willing to go to bat for the event if police should move against it. Many councillors want the community to make the final decision about whether extreme fighting will be sanctioned on the reserve.

band council has no authority

But Monture plans to go ahead with or without the council's endorsement.

"Who is band council? Just part of the federal government. Nobody has authority over us."

The 20 or so fighters who will be flown in for the Feb. 9 event will compete for a trophy and an undisclosed prize purse.

More than just a fight, the evening features a meal for those with tickets for the VIP tables, fights and sports projected on the giant high definition TV screens and sports celebrities from the area.

Monture says the event reaches out to the disadvantaged in the community and he has made donations to groups in need.

"It's not about the money but about what you can do with the money." Only one fighter from the reserve is on next month's card. Dwight Garlow has been training to bone up on the various techniques used in the sport.

Monture says that he and his group are now investigating taking the show on the road to other reserves. He is especially interested in hosting something at Casino Rama where they could fit 6,000 people into the venue.

[Yao Sing]

AFAIK amatuer MMA is illegal in Florida.

[the Preacher]

Originally Posted by Kemo Martin

Do you "Know Your States. NEW LAWS?
TEXAS
Combative Sports Occupations Code

.............................................
Am
Sec. 2052.117. Amateur Combative Sports Association Registration Requirements.
(a) An applicant for registration as an amateur combative sports association must apply on a form acceptable to
the executive director.
(b) An application must be accompanied by:
(1) a registration fee in the amount set by the commission;
(2) proof of compliance with requirements established by rule for:
(A) insurance; and
(B) surety bonds, if any;
(3) a copy of the rules of the association establishing standards of conduct for contestants and
officials; and
(4) proof that the association is recognized or organized as a nonprofit organization under the laws of
this state or has such status under federal law.
(c) Rules of the association must be approved by the department.


------------------------------------
PRO
SUBCHAPTER C. LICENSING, REGISTRATION, AND PERMITS
Sec. 2052.101. Promoter License.
A person may not act as a promoter unless the person holds the appropriate license issued under this chapter.
Sec. 2052.102. Promoter License Application Requirements.
(a) An applicant for a promoter's license under this chapter must apply on a form furnished by the executive
director.
(b) An application must be accompanied by:
(1) a license fee in an amount set by the commission; and
(2) a surety bond:
(A) subject to approval by the executive director; and
(B) conditioned on the applicant's payment of the tax imposed under Section 2052.151.
(c) The executive director shall establish the amount of the surety bond required under Subsection (b). The
bond amount may not be less than $300.
Sec. 2052.107. Other Combative Sports Licenses.
Unless a person holds a license or registration issued under this chapter, the person may not act as a combative
sports:
(1) professional contestant;
(2) manager of a professional contestant;
(3) referee;
(4) judge;
(5) second;
(6) timekeeper;
(7) matchmaker;
(8) ringside physician; or
(9) event coordinator.
Sec. 2052.108. Application Requirements For Other Licenses.
(a) An application for a license under Section 2052.107 must be made on a form furnished by the executive
director.
(b) An application must be accompanied by the required license fee.
Sec. 2052.109. Surety Bond.
(a) A surety bond required under this subchapter must:
(1) be issued by a company authorized to conduct business in this state;
(2) comply with the applicable requirements of the Insurance Code;
(3) be payable to the state for use by the state or a political subdivision that establishes that the boxing
or wrestling promoter is liable to it for damages, penalties, taxes, or other expenses resulting from
promotional activities conducted in this state; and
(4) be open to more than one claim, except that the claims may not exceed the face value of the bond.
(b) A person required to file a surety bond under this subchapter shall file a new bond annually.
(c) A company that issues a bond shall notify the department in writing of the cancellation of the bond not later
than the 30th day before the date on which the bond is canceled.

[Dragonzbane76]

don't know whole list i know of certain states though....


Ohio
Virginia
And I think PA just legalized or is not sure.

[the Preacher]

Originally Posted by the Preacher

.............................................
Am
Sec. 2052.117. Amateur Combative Sports Association Registration Requirements.
(a) An applicant for registration as an amateur combative sports association must apply on a form acceptable to
the executive director.
(b) An application must be accompanied by:
(1) a registration fee in the amount set by the commission;
(2) proof of compliance with requirements established by rule for:
(A) insurance; and
(B) surety bonds, if any;
(3) a copy of the rules of the association establishing standards of conduct for contestants and
officials; and
(4) proof that the association is recognized or organized as a nonprofit organization under the laws of
this state or has such status under federal law.
(c) Rules of the association must be approved by the department.


------------------------------------
PRO
SUBCHAPTER C. LICENSING, REGISTRATION, AND PERMITS
Sec. 2052.101. Promoter License.
A person may not act as a promoter unless the person holds the appropriate license issued under this chapter.
Sec. 2052.102. Promoter License Application Requirements.
(a) An applicant for a promoter's license under this chapter must apply on a form furnished by the executive
director.
(b) An application must be accompanied by:
(1) a license fee in an amount set by the commission; and
(2) a surety bond:
(A) subject to approval by the executive director; and
(B) conditioned on the applicant's payment of the tax imposed under Section 2052.151.
(c) The executive director shall establish the amount of the surety bond required under Subsection (b). The
bond amount may not be less than $300.
Sec. 2052.107. Other Combative Sports Licenses.
Unless a person holds a license or registration issued under this chapter, the person may not act as a combative
sports:
(1) professional contestant;
(2) manager of a professional contestant;
(3) referee;
(4) judge;
(5) second;
(6) timekeeper;
(7) matchmaker;
(8) ringside physician; or
(9) event coordinator.
Sec. 2052.108. Application Requirements For Other Licenses.
(a) An application for a license under Section 2052.107 must be made on a form furnished by the executive
director.
(b) An application must be accompanied by the required license fee.
Sec. 2052.109. Surety Bond.
(a) A surety bond required under this subchapter must:
(1) be issued by a company authorized to conduct business in this state;
(2) comply with the applicable requirements of the Insurance Code;
(3) be payable to the state for use by the state or a political subdivision that establishes that the boxing
or wrestling promoter is liable to it for damages, penalties, taxes, or other expenses resulting from
promotional activities conducted in this state; and
(4) be open to more than one claim, except that the claims may not exceed the face value of the bond.
(b) A person required to file a surety bond under this subchapter shall file a new bond annually.
(c) A company that issues a bond shall notify the department in writing of the cancellation of the bond not later
than the 30th day before the date on which the bond is canceled.

most states will be following the same rules as recently enacted in Texas

[Seppukku]

On illegal immigration? I agree. Why should illegal immigrants be allowed to fight when they don't have insurance, and they don't pay taxes or cable bills, and don't support the UFC or MMA venues with their taxes--why should they be allowed to fight and get the card over some American, born and raised, who pays his taxes, etc?

It's time to start cracking down on all the Brazilians in MMA....let them fight in their own Vale Tudo kumites. They're opening the gate for the Koreans.

Sure, you're laughing now. But just wait until they tornado-kick their way across the border and into your living room, and then butterfly-twist BJ Penn for a UFC Championship victory.

Then let's see who's laughing.