Roger Huerta says that he will have the lightweight (155) title by the end of the year or the beginning of next year. Then after that he plans to move to the welterweight (170) class for the UFC. He said he would never fight George St. Pierre and wouldn’t have to when he moves up because GSP would move up as well to middleweight (185) at the same time he does.

Source:
http://www.mmarated.com/users/video/163/558.html

Most of us know the history of Mixed Martial Arts, and how it was banned from many states, before it became what it is today. In its infancy it was true to the fight purist–with no weight classes and not many rules at all. Some states allowed it even after it was banned in others, such as, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Some states went out of their way to create laws banning it.

 

 A lot has changed since then, with almost all of these states having brought back MMA events under their own athletic commissions. Some are still either trying to bring it back through passing new state bills and others are still not addressing it as an issue. I want to take a look at the few states left that still have MMA as an illegal event.

 

Tennessee’s Boxing Administrator, Charlie Patterson, said when asked about it, “No bills are currently in progress, but there is discussion in committees.” He is referring to a Tennessee government document that states, “AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 68, Chapter 115, relative to professional boxing, mixed martial arts, sparring or wrestling matches or exhibitions.” Although there are things in the works in a positive direction, it may be another two years before Tennessee sees its first MMA event. This is the usual timeline that a state goes through once a need like this is identified and agreed on. Click HERE for the document.

 

West Virginia’s State Athletic Commission Chairman, Steven A. Allred, answered some questions for me as well. He told me that MMA is currently illegal under Legislative Rule 177-1-48 (48.1 - 48.2 a thru j). He also stated, “The Commission is made up of five (5) individuals, all of which at this time strongly oppose the legalization of MMA in West Virginia. Previous efforts by MMA supporters and one particular promoter to legalize the activity approximately 4 years ago was soundly defeated by both chambers of the legislature on unanimous votes.” The vote was so unanimous, West Virginia’s own House and Senate all voted against it. It was 100-0 in the Senate and 34-0 in the Senate. I explained to Steve that a lot has changed in MMA in four years, but there still were things that concerned him. He mentioned that striking a downed opponent, and using elbows and knees were what he deemed as a threat to the fighter’s safety. He also believes that fighters will have severe orthopedic problems in the future. He did make note that he is only one among many in his state that oppose it, but he somehow takes most of the MMA criticism from the public. So much, in fact, that he and some members of his family have received threats.

 

 The pressure will only build over time, with many states around West Virginia legalizing MMA, thereby bringing in new tax revenue. Steve even mentioned that he got a call from Ohio’s state commissioner, Bernie Profato, and he too mentioned the great tax revenue being generated by the new sport. Steve also mentioned that they might feel  pressure initially from the casinos operating in West Virginia.

 

 Mr. Allred was very professional with these questions I asked him and very objective while discussing it. I should also mention that he even took private Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lessons for one year to better understand the sport andmake a better decision regarding it. Even so, it doesn’t look like any MMA events will be held in West Virginia anytime soon. The barrier from making MMA legal seems to be the commission members as well as the House and Senate. The West Virginia rules banning MMA can be viewed HERE.

 

Pennsylvania’s State Athletic Commission Executive Director, Gregory Sirb, on February 7th 2008 said, “We are in the process of completing our rules/regulations - thus MMA events should be legal in PA within the next 6-8 months.” In July of 2007, Pennsylvania voted to approve draft regulations that allow Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events within the state. Previously in July they said it may take 12-18 months until these rules can take effect. It sounds to me like they have prepared them sooner and are getting closer every day. To view their SAC website about MMA click HERE.

 

South Carolina’s State Athletic Commission Assistant Deputy Director Randy Bryant was quick and to the point about their current status. He said that is was still illegal and there were not any current plans to make it legal.

 

Maryland’s Executive Director of the Maryland State Athletic Commission, Patrick Pannella, also weighed in on the current status of MMA in their state. He said that the legislature is reviewing how they could create the proper laws to bring it to pass and govern it. Patrick’s attitude on the situation is that the MSAC is completely neutral and they have complete confidence that the Maryland Legislature will do what’s right.

 

 Once a bill is drawn up, the MSAC will be able to weigh in on their thoughts. It may take the conventional year to get it completely done, but until then, as Patrick described it, “If anything is not regulated by the MSAC then it is illegal.” To view the latest on it click HERE.

 

North Carolina’s General Counsel, Marvin R. Waters, with the NC Dept. of Crime Control and Public Safety, had this to say about their current status, “Session Law 2007-490 (An Act To Define and Regulate Mixed Martial Arts…)became law on August 30, 2007. MMA, whether professional or amateur, is added to the events allowed by law and which are regulated by the NC Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) of the Dept. of Crime Control and Public Safety. See the amended G.S. 143-652.1. However, ALE must go through the Administrative Code Rules process of G.S. Chapter 150B to adopt rules BEFORE events can take place. The Rules process is being followed, and it is hoped that rules will be in place within the next two months which will allow for both Professional and Amateur MMA.” Click HERE to view the amended Bill. Get ready North Carolina, it sounds like the first MMA event will take place in three or so months.

 

Michigan’s Rep., Barbara Farrah, on May 30, 2007 introduced a bill to allow “ultimate fighting championships” or “mixed martial arts” events, which are defined as unarmed combat involving a combination of techniques from different disciplines of the martial arts including grappling, kicking, jujitsu, and striking. The bill revises the existing fees, licensure standards and regulations on boxing matches to incorporate ones for these events”. This was also signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on December 20, 2007. To view the latest document click HERE.

 

I was not able to get any comment from representatives of other states, such as, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine. It is my hope that these states are either working on this issue or at least addressing it. I am sure it will be something that will come up in the future for them if it already has not. One of the commissions I talked to said that MMA could very possibly be just another fad. If this is the case then perhaps the conservative approach is the best solution, but if it isn’t a fad, then what?

In a sport where there is a new MMA event and referee popping up every day, most people would say that the UFC referees have been around the longest. Big John McCarthy was one of the oldest starting at UFC 2 and the next would be Mario Yamasaki starting at UFC 20. These two, along with Herd Dean and Steve Mazzagatti, share a love for the sport that runs deeper than a measly paycheck from an Athletic Commission. True, they are some of the longest running refs in MMA, but they also have something else in common. They all currently practice or have competed in some form of martial arts.

 

Big John McCarthy was training under Rorian Gracie at the time of UFC 1 and even tried to enter the tournament, but Rorian Gracie advised against it. John then went on to ref UFC 2 and is now a MMA icon. McCarthy is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and currently runs a school called Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy.

 

Herb Dean was actually training with Zane Frazier when UFC 1 was being put together and has a professional MMA record of 2-3. Dean has practiced Judo, but one of the actual martial arts credits Dean has is his 2nd Dan Black Belt in American Jiu Jitsu. When asked why he referees he said, “I think of being a referee is similar to being a bass player in a band. The bass player provides a consistent rhythm and sets the groove so that the other instruments can shine.”

 

Steve Mazzagatti was practicing Muay Thai early on and opened the first school for it Las Vegas. Steve has also practiced Hung Gar and Wing Chun Gung Fu.

 

I got to speak with Mario Yamasaki about his passion for martial arts. He said he was going to train this year and get back in shape so he could compete in the coming year for the Pan-Ams. Mario Yamasaki is currently a 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and also has a black belt in Judo. Mario started competing in Judo when he was five years old until he was about twenty years old. He started competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when he was about seventeen and had some success at it. He is a Sao Paulo Open Champion, a three time Capital Open Champion and an Eastern Open silver medalist. Mario also has many schools in the US, Holland, Sweden, Germany, Dominican Republic and Brazil. One of his students he mentioned was Murilo Santana, a recent CBJJE World Champion. His school is called, Yamasaki Academy.

These guys love the sport so much that they will find a way to stay as close as they can to as many fights as possible. Like all sports, people get older and become more of a spectator than a participant. Randy Couture has recently made it harder to use that as an excuse, but some people, including referees, have one of the better jobs. “We get the best seat in the house,” said Mario. “When you get old and can’t fight no more, you ref.”