State Athletic Commission Websites
Editor's Note: This post was originally written in August 2009, but is periodically updated as additional states pass mixed martial arts regulations.
This post will link to all of the State Athletic Commissions which regulate Mixed Martial Arts events (or which would regulate them upon legalization in that state). State MMA regulations are changing regularly, so you should not rely exclusively on this list--or even the athletic commission's website--in determining whether MMA is legal or what rules to follow. As just two examples, both Alabama and South Dakota signed bills creating boxing commissions in 2009. The best bet is to contact the licensing authority directly to confirm what is allowed and whether the posted rules are current.
44 states now officially sanction Mixed Martial Arts. The holdouts are Alaska, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
ALASKA (No Commission)
CALIFORNIA (amateur events illegal)
COLORADO (amateur events illegal)
CONNECTICUT (mixed martial arts is illegal)
FLORIDA (amateur events illegal)
MAINE (Legalized Mixed Martial Arts as of September 12, 2009. Maine dissolved its athletic commission in 2007, so MMA will be overseen by a 5-member "Mixed Martial Arts Authority" appointed by the Governor.)
MICHIGAN (pro events illegal)
NEW YORK (amateur and pro events illegal, but it's only a matter of time)
RHODE ISLAND A bill regulating MMA was passed and transmitted to the Governor on November 4, 2009. The Governor did not act and the bill became law without his signature on November 12, 2009.
SOUTH DAKOTA (No website, but on March 30, 2009, Governor M. Michael Rounds signed into law a bill creating the South Dakota Boxing Commission to oversee boxing and MMA)
WASHINGTON, DC (amateur events limited)
WYOMING (No Commission)
As always, if you are aware of any additions or changes that should be made to this list, please email me and let me know. Thanks.
