Michigan Mulls Regulations for Mixed Martial Arts

Licensing and registration systems "for their protection"

The Michigan House has passed two bills aimed at providing regulations for amateur mixed martial arts events in the state.

The Wednesday vote comes after the death over the weekend of a fighter who had competed in an event in Port Huron. But the legislation had been in the works long before then, and its sponsor – Rep. Harvey Santana, D-Detroit – said it was not a knee-jerk reaction to that incident. He noted that amateur mixed martial arts events take place virtually weekend somewhere in Michigan, and that steps are needed to put some protections for fighters in place.