A First For MMA - Mixed Martial Arts News

A First For MMA - Mixed Martial Arts News

By Media report on DoghouseBoxing (April 16, 2009)

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 16 - Pennsylvania's first Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, event will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, at the Wisehaven Banquet Hall and Expo Center in York. The Central Pennsylvania Martial Arts Academy in Cumberland County is promoting the event, which will feature two professional and eight amateur matches.

"After years of review and preparation, we welcome the era of MMA in Pennsylvania," Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes said.

Pennsylvania recently joined the growing number of states to permit and regulate MMA, including New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, California, Nevada and Florida. To date, 18 promoters hold MMA licenses in Pennsylvania.

"The State Athletic Commission has trained and recruited experienced officials to help ensure that events are safe, fair and orderly," Cortes added.

The State Athletic Commission licenses and regulates over 900 professionals and many sporting events including professional boxing, kickboxing and wrestling. State regulations that took effect Feb. 27 require all professional MMA fighters to be licensed, take pre-fight physical exams, have insurance and maintain current, negative communicable disease test results.

As a self-supporting entity, the State Athletic Commission receives no taxpayer dollars from the state's General Fund. The Department of State anticipates that MMA may generate as much as $80,000 per year in revenue for the administration of the commission.

The next MMA event is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in Oaks, Montgomery County.

More information about the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission and MMA regulations, visit www.dos.state.pa.us and select State Athletic Commission.