so the law did not pass? I was under the impression that is was passed. If it is not legal I am not going. Also your link is not working.
Taken from another thread:
On Tuesday, June 5, legislation was approved unanimously by the House Regulatory Reform Committe to allow mixed martial arts matches in Michigan.
Rep. Barbara Farrah was the sponsor of both bills and said that it will help bring income to Michigan's economy crisis, as it is the fastest growing sport in the US.
Kenny Florian and Marc Ratner (UFC VP) testified to the panel. Go Kenflo!
Kenny testified that he was hurt more during soccer than in MMA.
Their next concern that will be addressed is the process of establishing quality refs and judges. They may need to participate in several amateur matches before getting involved in a pro fight.
Hey Jay, can't get that link to work. (???)
Any way to summarize in 50 words or less?
LANSING — A state lawmaker wants to regulate mixed martial arts fights and make them legal in Michigan.
A state House committee heard testimony Tuesday on legislation aimed at expanding state law covering boxing to include contests sponsored by the Ultimate Fighting Championship or other mixed martial arts organizations.
The legislation, which sponsors say still needs work, was approved by the committee and sent to the House floor for future action.
Supporters say the legislation could make Michigan an option for professional mixed martial arts fight promoters. Twenty-three states have in some way regulated the sport, most of them since 2000, and several other states are considering similar action.
“It’s the next big sporting event,” said Rep. Barbara Farrah, a Democrat from Southgate and the legislation’s sponsor. “It’s going to continue to grow.”
Farrah told the House Regulatory Reform Committee — which she chairs — that she is sponsoring the legislation in hopes of drawing professional fights and the economic benefits that could go with them to Michigan.
Not all states and communities are rushing to embrace the sport. For example, a half-dozen cities in Minnesota have banned or restricted mixed martial arts fighting because of safety concerns. The events also have drawn criticism in some other states.
But representatives of the UFC touted their safety record Tuesday. UFC representatives said they want to come to Michigan, but they want regulation first to help promote safety.
“We are moving one step at a time, one state at a time,” said Marc Ratner, an official with the UFC.
Supporters of the legislation say Michigan’s current law does not allow professional mixed martial arts fights, except at American Indian casinos.
The fights — which may include karate, judo and wrestling moves in addition to boxing — are growing in popularity at arenas, on television and through pay-per-view events. The events may be held in rings or cages.
The state’s Department of Labor and Economic Growth wants the fighting to be regulated. The department also wants any new laws passed to address both professional and amateur fighting and eliminate any gray areas between the two.
Regulators are concerned about the growth of fighting that could be classified as amateur mixed martial arts. Some promoters have argued amateur fights are exempt under current Michigan law or aren’t covered in statute, a potential loophole that regulators want closed so there is no debate.
“That’s where the major problems are,” Archie Millben, enforcement director of DLEG’s Bureau of Commercial Services, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “It’s not these big guys. It’s all the little guys coming in.”
Thank you very much.
Fathead D, what do you think? I guess I'm on the fence until this becomes official.....
It passed and MMA is legal, but I'm pretty sure none of the shows that were planned BEFORE it passed are actually sanctioned. I'm sure there will be a time period for them to get organized and appoint referees and rules and such...
"The legislation, which sponsors say still needs work, was approved by the committee and sent to the House floor for future action". That statment sounds to me that is not yet legal.
From what I just read in that article it looks like it was just a sub commitee that has approved the bill and passed it on to the full house for a vote. If that is the case IT IS NOT LEGAL YET. So I am out. I will not support any show in MI unless is is fully sanctioned and regulated.
I hear ya.
DAMMIT!
Well, at least we're on our way...
I hear ya. I was pumped about the fights. Oh well.
"Legislation was approved unanimously" but "Their next concern that will be addressed is the process of establishing quality refs and judges."
Sounds like you are right, but it's on it's way. But like I said, any shows before it is passed wouldn't be sanctioned anyways.
It looks as if there are four steps or so and it got through the first. but hey this is progress.
5/30/2007 HJ 55 Pg. 847 introduced by Representative Barbara Farrah.
5/30/2007 HJ 55 Pg. 847 read a first time.
5/30/2007 HJ 55 Pg. 847 referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform.
6/5/2007 HJ 56 Pg. 854 printed bill filed 05/30/2007.
6/5/2007 HJ 56 Pg. 856 reported with recommendation without amendment(s).
6/5/2007 HJ 56 Pg. 856 referred to second reading.
It is not legal yet. It has to be in short signed into law by Granholm. We
are at least one year away on that. Keep in my the boxing folks will fight
to stop MMA in Michigan. Long way to go.
I work for the MI House Of Reps. This bill is far from legal. Just cause a committee approved it doesn't make MMA legal here. The House still has to vote on it, then the Senate has to vote on it, then the Governor has to sign it. This was a big step, but we still have a ways to go.