Connecticut passes MMA Bill; Canada passes law too

MMA Junkie reports that the Connecticut state senate passed a bill legalizing mixed martial arts.  In addition, Canadian legislators passed a bill that will now allow provinces to regulate and permit amateur and professional prizefighting including MMA.

Last month, the Connecticut House of Representatives passed the MMA bill and it made it through the senate without any issues.  Professional MMA events will now be allowed in Connecticut making New York the only state that does not allow MMA in its state.

The Canadian law amended the Canadian Criminal Code which defined prizefighting.  While MMA was illegal in Canada, provincial governments passed its own regulations allowing MMA in its province.  The law, which was introduced last spring, appears to be more of a formality based on the overwhelming popularity of the sport in the country.  The vote was 267 in favor of MMA with only 9 against.

Payout Perspective:

47 states now have legislation allowing professional MMA.  Alaska does not have an athletic commission and Montana’s athletic commission does not regulate MMA.  New York stands alone as the only state that does not allow MMA.  Moreover, it does not look like it will happen this year for New York.