MMA avoids ban in Delaware
Amendment to new legislation will allow regulated competition
By ALEXANDER PYLES • The News Journal • July 2, 2008

Read Comments(3)Recommend Print this page E-mail this article
Share this article: Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine What’s this?
Mixed martial arts fighters and promoters in Delaware said Tuesday they were relieved that legislation originally written to ban MMA in the state was amended late Monday night.

The “Toughman Legislation,” which the General Assembly approved before its session ended early Tuesday, will ban Toughman competitions throughout the state. But rather than also banning MMA, the legislation will allow for an MMA adviser to be placed on a Combative Sports Advisory Council, which would be created by the legislation.

Rep. Robert J. Valihura Jr., R-Beau Tree, House Bill 501′s primary sponsor, said many MMA participants complained to him about the bill’s original language.

“So, we tried to reach a compromise,” he said.

If Gov. Ruth Ann Minner signs the bill into law, the council will identify a national sanctioning organization to oversee MMA in Delaware, according to James Collins, director of the state Division of Professional Regulation.

The United States Kickboxing Association regulates amateur MMA in New Jersey, for instance.

Collins said that because the governor has not signed the bill, there is no timetable for beginning the search for a sanctioning organization. It is unlikely, he said, that the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission will oversee MMA in Delaware, as it does boxing.

“I’m thrilled. It’s going to protect the public,”

Valihura said. “After the body meets, they will be able to sanction these things similarly to the way boxing is regulated in the state.

“There will be no more unregulated MMA exhibitions in the state.”

Nick Perez, a New Castle mixed martial artist, said he left a message for Valihura on Sunday urging the lawmaker to reconsider the proposed ban of MMA.

Perez, 33, was happy to hear that the bill was amended to reflect the distinction between Toughman and MMA.

“We’re not guys coming off the street to go fight one night,” Perez said. “That [revised bill] seems a lot more fair to the people who compete in the sport.”

Toughman features elimination tournaments between amateur participants who have no boxing experience or training.

Jack Murphy, the owner of Jack’s Kickboxing Gym in Newark, said he is pleased that legislators seem to be moving toward regulation of the sport.

“I think it’s great; this is what I’ve been pushing for for the last several years,” Murphy said, adding that he has appeared before the House and the Senate twice to discuss the regulation of MMA in Delaware.

But with no timetable for regulation, Murphy is only cautiously optimistic.

“I brought it up to them three years ago, and I’m still sitting here,” he said. “But at least now their eyes are open.”

Perez, meanwhile, is concerned that having to travel outside Delaware for fights, even temporarily, will make it more difficult for him to advance his MMA career.

“I had a mind-set to establish pro status in the next two years. In order to do that, I have to compete,” he said. “I’m not getting any younger. It’s kind of hard to put my life on hold for them.”

Murphy said he is glad the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission will not govern MMA in Delaware. He said there are enough knowledgeable instructors of MMA disciplines in Delaware to form a state-based regulation committee.

Murphy also said it’s unnecessary to enlist a national organization to regulate the sport in Delaware.

“Out of this gym alone, we could fit that bill and handle it,” he said. “We are our own state; why don’t we be our own state?”

Jeff Mitchell, an instructor at Elite Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Newark, said that quickly regulating MMA in Delaware is important so the state’s youths can continue to learn about the sport.

“It’s a good sport, it’s a safe sport,” Mitchell said. “I just hope they don’t sit on it.”

Contact Alexander Pyles at 324-2805 or apyles@delawareonline.com.

Frankly, I’m ashamed to live in Delaware. Maybe that’s why I work in Maryland. But I’ve trained MMA for a short while… I cannot understand why lawmakers are so afraid of the sport.

Looks like I’ll be writing TWO letters to two different members of Delaware’s legislature this week.

On behalf of the stupid state I live in, I apologize to everyone else. We suck.

“It’s no different for MMA than it is to get the pothole in your road fixed,” Paton said. “One, find out who your representatives are and call them. Just let them know what you think. Two, this is an election season not just in Arizona but in New York and around the country. The best way to get your way is to get the right person elected in the first place.”
–
Its pretty simple and Sam made it even easier for everyone by providing the contact info for the Rep.

Contact your local the rep. in your area and let your voice be heard, They won’t ever know any better until the people in their districts inform them.

Stay on top of your elected officials or they are bound to go off in do something stupid like up there in Delaware

And before we get too tough on McCain, hasn’t he backed off his comments, which were made in the old days before there were uniform rules, etc.?

The best way to deal with them is to present them with actual stats of MMA v. Boxing, ie: how many punches thown/landed in a Boxing fight v. a MMA fight.
How many shots to the head does an aveage 12 round boxing fight have at 155lbs? Hundreds. How many does the average MMA fight have at the same weight? A few dozen…

Look at some of the beatings Mike Stewart has taken- and I am a fan of Mike’s- but he hasn’t been the same since Hatton destroyed him with about 50 unanswered shots.

I have trained both (in DE and Philly) and I would say that MMA is safer without a doubt. There are less direct blows to the head, less injuries, and the fighter always has the ability to end the fight, just tap.

Sam- a presentation of punches thrown v. landed in both sports would go a long way to these reps, we got a ban on the American Pitbull Terrier repealed in Wilmington based heavily on actual stats (not Rep’s opinions) and the testimony of Professionals. This Bill could be fought the same way.

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/NewsReleases/Read.aspx?Guid=e1b38cb4-137b-40fd-bb50-9b407f24c051

Delaware Leaders Join Supporters Of John McCain

January 23, 2008

ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign today released its Delaware Leadership Team. The leadership team will contribute to the growing grassroots organization on behalf of John McCain in the First State.

“John McCain is the right candidate with the experience, character, and judgment to unite our party and lead our nation,” said Congressman Michael Castle, Chair of Senator McCain’s Delaware campaign. “I trust the people of Delaware will rally behind the commonsense principled vision John McCain has offered the American people.”

John McCain thanked the Delaware leaders, stating, “I welcome the support of these fine public servants and look forward to working with them to spread our message to the people of Delaware.”

JOHN MCCAIN 2008 DELAWARE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Chair
Congressman Michael Castle, Wilmington

Co-Chair
Delaware Speaker of the House Terry Spence, Stratford

Vice Chair
Republican National Committeeman John Matlusky, Wilmington

New Castle County Legislative Chairs
Rep. Joseph E Miro, Pike Creek Valley
Rep. Robert J Valihura, Jr., Talleyville

Kent County Legislative Chair
Rep. Pamela J. Thornburg, Dover West

Sussex County Legislative Chair
Rep. Daniel B Short, Seaford

Valihura,
I just read an article about the banning of MMA in Delaware. I’m not sure this is such a great idea. The way the economy is right now and the potential of making tax money from MMA is crucial in todays market. This sport is being taken serious and has been for the past 10 years. This isn’t 2 dogs in a cage trying to kill each other. That thought is what has been programmed in alot of minds of people who don’t understand the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. This sport takes courage, discipline, and honor to compete in it. Those 3 words (Courage, Discipline, & Honor) are also used for marketing the Military services for our country. So what’s the big deal about MMA being banned in Delaware? What are you affraid of? Potentially hurting MMA fighters in the state of Delaware? How about all the family who are out of jobs in your state? I’m sure there are plenty of MMA fighters in the state of Delaware who’d like to provide food for their family. This might be a tough job now for alot of these fighters considering you’re trying to ban this “SPORT.” I think this is a huge mistake and it could potential hurt our economy more and leave families stranded because their are not able to do what they love to do. This is America…we have the freedom of doing what we’d like to do…wether it be starting a bakery shop business or competing in a sport called mixed martial arts.

MMA is 100 times more safe than football. Whens the last time you’ve read an article about a Mixed Martial Artist being paralyzed due to being tackled by a 300 pounds athlete? NEVER! This isn’t going to happen. If you’re going to ban MMA you might as well work on banning Football, Wrestling, Baseball, Golf, Nascar, etc…All of these sports can be considered dangerous. We all know that these sports have rules and regulations…so does MMA. There are plenty of medical staff on hand during a MMA fight. They aren’t there for their own health…they are their for the fighters health.

Please consider hurting our nation by trying to ban MMA in Delaware. Think about how our economy could be helped out by the vendors who sell merchandise at MMA shows, the ticker sellers, the arena parking staff, the fighters, the sponsors and the dreams of young american’s looking to do something that takes Courage, discipline, & honor.

Thank You

Derek Bess
Mixed Martial Arts Patriot