In light of the circumstances around Mr. Munson's death, and the negative media attention around it in Milwaukee, there's going to be calls to regulate kickboxing shows in WI just as MMA is regulated here (I was involved in passage of the MMA regulations in 2010). The Journal Sentinel is already snooping around hinting that's what their next article is going to be about (pushing the need to do SOMETHING in light of this tragedy). Any thoughts on this?
Earlier Tuesday, state Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) and Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) said they are considering state regulation of kickboxing. The state regulates boxing and mixed martial arts, a combination of many combat sports, but the similar sport of kickboxing is not regulated.
Kleefisch, a co-sponsor of the bill that regulated MMA, is studying the issue and considering whether something can be done in the next legislative session, according to spokeswoman Vanessa Morrone.
Hansen, who was author of the bill, said he doesn't recall discussion of including kickboxing but said it makes sense to consider it.
MMA was regulated in Wisconsin in part because it would bring Ultimate Fighting Championship events to the state and to increase safety, Hansen said.
"There were no rules to protect fighters or hold the promoter accountable," Hansen said. "I think we definitely should look at extending our protection to kickboxing."
The unregulated event where Munson died included some safeguards in Wisconsin's MMA law, such as a ringside doctor and paramedics. But missing were the state commissioner and his inspectors, who oversee the fights.
"There were no rules to protect fighters or hold the promoter accountable," Hansen said. "I think we definitely should look at extending our protection to kickboxing."
It's crystal clear that in the case of DMJ, the fighter was NOT protected by anyone, and NOBODY was held accountable in any way, shape or form despite glaring and obvious negligence from the referee, promoter, ringside physician and the cornerman..
I'm glad kick-boxing it is being scrutinized and considered for regulation.
RockTheVote - When regulation came up here I heard they were contemplating regulating grappling, or cage grappling at least. I don't understand why kickboxing wasn't included in the first place. This should have universal support in our community, I would think.
As Hansen said in the article above, kickboxing wasn't included because no one brought it up. Zuffa came in here and asked for MMA to be regulated in the way they wanted it, so they could put on shows here. That's the ONLY reason MMA was regulated in the first place.
Well yeah, that's why I'm trying to get opinions from people/promotions who could be affected before anything hasty happens.
This makes you sound like you don't want any changes to happen. Like it would be bad if they regulated Kickboxing.
Do you think anyone dropped the ball in that fight? If so who? If not, why?
Nope, not saying that at all. I just think that you end up with bad government regulatory policy when you act without discussing it first with the people/entities who are to be regulated.
I have no idea on the specifics of the fight. I'm not a fighter, coach, ref, doctor or promoter. Those are all people that should be consulted when discussing possible regulations.
RockTheVote - When regulation came up here I heard they were contemplating regulating grappling, or cage grappling at least. I don't understand why kickboxing wasn't included in the first place. This should have universal support in our community, I would think.
As Hansen said in the article above, kickboxing wasn't included because no one brought it up. Zuffa came in here and asked for MMA to be regulated in the way they wanted it, so they could put on shows here. That's the ONLY reason MMA was regulated in the first place.
I don't believe that's true. I know you spell in some capacity in government, but I remember Jesse coming in talking about cage grappling being regulated until we all told him how dumb that was. Went would that have been on the table and not kickboxing?
I'm just telling you the whole thing was being driven by Zuffa wanting MMA to be regulated so they could put on shows in Milwaukee. There were several versions of the bill, none of them ever dealt with anything other than amateur and pro MMA, so I never heard anything about cage grappling or kickboxing being discussed. Not saying it didn't happen, but I never heard that and never saw a version of the bill that included it.
Well yeah, that's why I'm trying to get opinions from people/promotions who could be affected before anything hasty happens.
This makes you sound like you don't want any changes to happen. Like it would be bad if they regulated Kickboxing.
Do you think anyone dropped the ball in that fight? If so who? If not, why?
Nope, not saying that at all. I just think that you end up with bad government regulatory policy when you act without discussing it first with the people/entities who are to be regulated.
I have no idea on the specifics of the fight. I'm not a fighter, coach, ref, doctor or promoter. Those are all people that should be consulted when discussing possible regulations.
I think anyone involved in Kickboxing in WI should have been running towards regulation from the begining. Be involved and active not sit and wait for the government to act.
No opinion based on watching the video? Ringside Dr not paying attention or ever even getting up. Corner pushing him back in and holding him up before the third? Not one standing 8 or checking on wobbly fighter between rounds? 3 folks right there who dropped the ball. BIG TIME
Well yeah, that's why I'm trying to get opinions from people/promotions who could be affected before anything hasty happens.
This makes you sound like you don't want any changes to happen. Like it would be bad if they regulated Kickboxing.
Do you think anyone dropped the ball in that fight? If so who? If not, why?
Nope, not saying that at all. I just think that you end up with bad government regulatory policy when you act without discussing it first with the people/entities who are to be regulated.
I have no idea on the specifics of the fight. I'm not a fighter, coach, ref, doctor or promoter. Those are all people that should be consulted when discussing possible regulations.
I think anyone involved in Kickboxing in WI should have been running towards regulation from the begining. Be involved and active not sit and wait for the government to act.
No opinion based on watching the video? Ringside Dr not paying attention or ever even getting up. Corner pushing him back in and holding him up before the third? Not one standing 8 or checking on wobbly fighter between rounds? 3 folks right there who dropped the ball. BIG TIME
As the old saying goes, opinions are like assholes... Since I've already explained I'm not an expert on what should have been happening there, I'll defer to expert opinions.
Well yeah, that's why I'm trying to get opinions from people/promotions who could be affected before anything hasty happens.
This makes you sound like you don't want any changes to happen. Like it would be bad if they regulated Kickboxing.
Do you think anyone dropped the ball in that fight? If so who? If not, why?
Nope, not saying that at all. I just think that you end up with bad government regulatory policy when you act without discussing it first with the people/entities who are to be regulated.
I have no idea on the specifics of the fight. I'm not a fighter, coach, ref, doctor or promoter. Those are all people that should be consulted when discussing possible regulations.
I think anyone involved in Kickboxing in WI should have been running towards regulation from the begining. Be involved and active not sit and wait for the government to act.
No opinion based on watching the video? Ringside Dr not paying attention or ever even getting up. Corner pushing him back in and holding him up before the third? Not one standing 8 or checking on wobbly fighter between rounds? 3 folks right there who dropped the ball. BIG TIME
As the old saying goes, opinions are like assholes... Since I've already explained I'm not an expert on what should have been happening there, I'll defer to expert opinions.
Corey - As far as kickboxing goes I think it is a good idea to regulate it for obvious reasons but it will essentially eliminate it altogether. The state pretty much priced just about everyone out of the market with MMA regulation and kick boxing will be the same. There is the casino loophole but then you have to go through all the BS that comes with dealing with the tribes.
Well yeah, that's a concern. The people jumping up and down screaming REGULATE IT NOW REGARDLESS OF COST, will put everyone out of business. Zuffa was willing to incur much higher costs in the original version of the MMA bill, but it was scaled back after smaller promotions raised concerns about not being able to shoulder the costs. I'm sure some real small guys got priced out, but there's still some shows going on, right?
Wi MMA wasn't for the feint of heart before regulation and while it's priced some legit folks out it also pushed some scumbags out too which is positive..
Regulation is essential to the safety fighters. To have an independent body supplying referees, doctors, medical personnel, and judges assigned goes a long way towards the goal of safety and fairness for the fighters involved.
Whether or not that is a government body or sanctioning body akin to USA Wrestling or Judo that's doing is another thing all together.
