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Iowa’s MMA scene faces challenges
By Zach Arnold | February 15, 2006
By Zach Arnold
The Des Moines Register newspaper this morning reports that there is an effort to deregulate the MMA industry in the state of Iowa.
Furthermore, legislation is being created to outlaw amateurs from fighting in MMA, and also legislation to have fighters pay an annual $1,000 license fee.
In addition to Iowa, Hawaii has recently seen legislators attempt to ban or alter the fight industry on the island via the state legislature. Those efforts, so far, have failed.
Topics: All Topics, MMA, Zach Arnold | 4 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback | Share This
I think states need to get more involved in regulating MMA. Banning amateur fights is only going to drive young people underground to compete in indy shows where safety and security aren’t high priorities.
Its funny that this comes from Iowa of all places, where amateur wrestling is such a popular sport. You would think maybe they’d take some of regulations for amateur wrestling and apply it to amateur MMA. Although, amateur MMA is a very loose term. Mixed Martial Artists are simply martial artists who practice multiple disciplines. Its not like MMA can be defined as a “single” discipline, so to speak.
Wasn’t Monte Cox just on Sherdog radio talking about this very thing? I thought he said that he showed up some where with a few friends who were in the state house and basically resolved the matter…
$1,000 ?! That just shows how little they know about the MMA scene. Amateur Fighters wish they had $100 to throw away like that.
Also, how do they expect for fighters to become PRO if they are never allowed to begin fighting??? Just goes to show ya that we still have a long way to go with the MMA Machine.
[...] First it was Hawaii, and then it was Iowa. Now, a new development in Iowa has State Rep. Paul Wilderdyke attempting to pass legislation to ban minors from seeing MMA shows. Wilderdyke is the same man who attempted last month to pass state legislation to ban amateurs from MMA competition, increase licensing fees, and deregulate the industry. The Quad-City Times has more on this story. Some of the quotes from Wilderdyke must be read to be believed. [...]