OK, now about those New Jersey rules....the older lady who sat at Mr. Low's right said that those rules had many issues. I forgot the word she used, but she stated that for instance, New Jersey doesn't charge money for what I thought she said was the fighter licenses or promoter licenses. I cannot remember. This brought them to another HUGE issue for the MI Boxing Commission. They are losing a lot of money each and every year. They don't make money or break even. They have to find ways if they are going to sanction MMA, to make more money so that they aren't in deeper than they already are. Currently, they make money from the fighter license fees, promoter license fees, and fines handed down to fighters who violate rules (such as dirty drug tests). Also, the lady said that there were some serious flaws with the proposed "draft" of legislation for MMA in Michigan which was based on the New Jersey rules. Another thing that they said is that there could be another "commission" formed to handle MMA and they aren't against that. It's all about the lack of money though. It makes more sense most likely to just keep it under the boxing commission (according to them), but they really said that they don't really mind either way.
The lobbyists when done then asked if there were any questions that they could answer. An older gentleman then stated something to the effect of "I know that there have been deaths in MMA. How many have there been?" The guys said that they weren't sure. I was a bit flabbergasted at that. Come on, that's the biggest stereotype out there and they didn't hit that softball that was lobbed at them. I wanted them to smash that one out of the park. They were asked if they had a sponsor for legislation. They did and it is Barbara Farrah (Dem) from Southgate. They also stated that there will be many more and were very confident about that. The boxing commission stated that there would need to be legislation introduced so that MMA would not violate state boxing laws.
Joe Byrd then said that he supports MMA and thinks it would be really good for the state of Michigan. He said that with everyone else outside of Michigan supporting it, Michigan should embrace it as well and share in the success. It was really cool to see that a dyed in the wool boxing guy would be so supportive of MMA here. He said, "It makes no sense to have Indiana and Ohio doing it and Michigan not be a part of it." He reiterated that it would be good for Michigan.
After they were done, he asked if anyone else had anything to say regarding MMA. I raised my hand and he was told that he could hear me if he so chose. He said that he had no problem with it.