Iowa Takes Steps Towards Regulating Amateur MMA
Amateur mixed martial arts matches are currently legal in Iowa, but they are not regulated. A bill that has just been forwarded to the floor of the Iowa Senate would change that, putting amateur MMA under the auspices of the Athletic Commissioner (just like professional events).
On February 9, Senate Study Bill 3192 was unanimously approved by the Senate's Labor and Business Relations Committee. The bill, which revises the existing Iowa Code Chapter governing boxing and professional wrestling events will now go to a vote by the full Iowa Senate, likely within the next 12 weeks.
As reported by Tony Leys of the Des Moines Register, proponents of the bill are concerned with several injuries that have occurred in amateur MMA events in Iowa. Although the article's discussion of the terrible injury to Nebraska fighter Zach Kirk is not entirely accurate, there is no question that allowing fighters to compete without pre-fight medical examinations and without appropriate medical staff on site is a dangerous combination.
The bill does more than just impose safety regulations on fighters and promoters, however.
The bill's other provisions include a new minimum age limit of 21 for participation in an amateur or professional MMA event.
This is a departure from amateur boxing, where Iowa defers to the rules of USA Boxing, which has a junior olympic program for contestants as young as 8 years old.
In addition to opposing the new age limit, some critics of the bill say the medical testing regulations are too stringent. As as example, some promoters believe that amateur MMA will cease to exist if unpaid fighters are forced to foot the bill for pre-fight blood tests, which typically cost at least $99.
As professional MMA is well on its way to becoming legal in nearly every state, I believe regulation of amateur MMA is the next big legal issue for the industry. What do you think, MMALB readers? Should amateur MMA be regulated? If so, should it face all the same restrictions as professional events?
Iowa was one of the first states to regulate the sport, and was continually the standard bearer for the MMA movement. Unfortunately, over the years the state has fallen behind and is now mocked by the "Wild West" status of its amateur program.
In reference to the bill, one like this presents itself at the start of each new session, and each time there is a panic throughout the mixed martial arts community. The exact same fear took place when Nebraska instilled a regulatory body for its amateurs. While at first it seemed the end of the sport as we know it, the state now prospers and has opened doors to host larger productions, something we have not seen in Iowa since the UFC cable blackout.
While there are a few small issues to work out, I believe that overall this bill is extremely beneficial to the status of the sport in the state of Iowa. And while the majority of promotions are currently planning for the end of days, it is only an adjustment process before we are prospering in Iowa once again.
I have to completely agree with what Jay said. I find myself in the middle of this arguement and even the 'poster boy' for senator Heckroths campaign. Yes, there is a lot of fear running through the amateur MMA community here but over all change needs to happen. Iowa does produce some top MMA athletes and will probably continue to do so. We just need a chance to bring some top promotions here or improve on the ones we have. This needs to be treated like a legitimate sport.
http://waverlymma.blogspot.com/2010/02/he-got-living-snot-knocked-out-of-him.html
Hello,my name is Brach Amos and I am sixteen years old. I also am an amateur mma fighter. I believe that the new age requierment is absolutly ridiculous. The age should be lowerd to eighteen.
So you tell me I have to be twenty-one to put on a pair of gloves and compete in front of a doctor, referee, and other spectators, but I only have to be eighteen to strap on an M16 fight for my country where i'm taking bullets instead of punches. I have talked to many people about this and 90% of them share the same opinion I do.