OnMilwaukee.com reports that an “Anti-MMA” bill in Wisconsin is still alive but is fading quickly. If passed, the bill could ban mixed martial arts in over 1,200 towns in the state.
Duke Roufus of Roufus Sport has lobbied against the measure. You may recall Roufus is the trainer for MMA fighters including Anthony Pettis and his gym is located in Milwaukee
The actual bill authorizes towns to pass ordinances banning MMA. The state’s Department of Safety and Professional Services governs the regulation of MMA in the state. The proposed bill would grant local government the authority to ban MMA in its town.
Via OnMilwaukee.com:
Referred to as “Wisconsin’s Anti-MMA Bill”, AB-308 was authored by Representative Patricia Strachota and co-sponsored by Senator Glenn Grothman in October of 2011, just a year removed from Wisconsin’s adoption of mixed martial arts regulations designed to create statewide safety and regulatory standards.
The bill’s sponsors actually supported the original legislation adopting MMA regulations. The change in course is puzzling to Roufus and supporters of MMA of that state.
Payout Perspective:
If passed, it would be a definite blow to MMA in the state. The story suggests that MMA cards are just being organized and to repeal the MMA regulations would be a disappointment for MMA fans. The bill is not as definite as New York’s ban as the pertinent language gives a town the authority to ban MMA. So, it would really be up to the local governing body whether it would enact a ban. The bill appears to be losing support but we will continue to monitor.
Just curious, but what/who initiated this bill in the first place (i.e. what was it a response too)?
MV: Its not clear. Realistically, a closer look seems to just give local towns the authority to choose whether or not that area wants to ban MMA. So, even if its banned in one town, you could go to the next town over and hold the event.
The people of the town(s) or the government? If the latter, it seems like a situation where some “greased palms” could be the deciding factor.
This is pretty disappointing too considering Wisconsin has always been so great at sports, but I think MMA conjures visions of back alley fights in some people’s minds instead of the amazing sport it truly is.
Also, I did hear that just yesterday New York was starting to lean the other way from their initial stance on the MMA ban. (noted that this article is a few weeks old.)
I am glad that somewhere, someone in government still recognizes cruelty even it is happening right in front of them. “Mixed Martial Arts” is a sport like pornography is “Art”!