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<h3><a href="/go=news.detail&gid=455114" target="_blank">
Michigan Gov signs amateur MMA bill into law
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<a href="/go=news.detail&gid=455114" ><img class="photo" src="http://img.mixedmartialarts.com/method=get&rs=56&q=75&x=49&y=12&w=310&h=165&ro=0&s=rick-snyder.jpg" /></a>
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<p>Michigan is one of 13 states that allow amateur MMA but do not regulate it.</p>
The state has so egregiously failed to adequately regulate amateurs that the Association of Boxing Commissions last year took the unprecedented step of asking the member commissions to bar amateur Michigan fighters, or those who have recently competed in Michigan.
Safety in Michigan is left solely in the hands of for-profit promoters. While some promoters are responsible, pre-fight screenings are generally minimal or non-existent, with no tests for AIDS or Hepatitis, fighters under 18 can compete, multiple fights in one night, no ringside physician is required, or even an ambulance, and more.
The cesspool of MMA came to a head in 2013, when Felix Elochukwu Nchikwo, a 35-year-old Nigerian living in Hamilton, Ontario on a student visa, died following his participation in an unregulated amateur MMA bout in Michigan.
Now Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) has finally signed a bill into law.
Snyder says in a news release that as participation in martial arts competition has grown it has become important to protect the health and safety of amateur participants.
The main law regulates amateur mixed martial arts contests like professional mixed martial arts fights and boxing. Licensing fees are assessed on contestants, promoters, judges, referees and others.
Amateur athletes will compete in weight classes, with drug testing required, as well as a doctor and ambulance onsite.
One of the laws makes it a felony crime for a fight promoter to allow a boxing or MMA professional to participate in a fight with an amateur fighter.
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