[B]Lawmakers look at making mixed martial arts legal
Sport’s popularity growing in nation[/B]
By SHEILA WISSNER
Staff Writer
A sport combining Eastern and Western fighting techniques could become a new entertainment choice in Tennessee if legislators decide to legalize it here.
A special joint legislative committee holds its first meeting today to begin looking into whether the state should legalize mixed martial arts, a sport gaining in popularity nationwide.
"This is actually the fastest-growing sport in the country,‘’ said Rep. Curry Todd, the Memphis Republican who sponsored the bill in the House to set up the study committee.
With stars such as Chuck Liddell and Fedor Emelianenko, the sport features two highly trained athletes using a combination of skills from sports such as judo, kickboxing and wrestling.
Thirty-one states now allow mixed martial arts competitions, with another half-dozen considering legalizing them, Todd said.
Demonstration tonight
As part of their research, the legislators on the committee are slated to see a demonstration of the sport tonight.
Today’s committee meeting also will include testimony from Memphis native Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, light heavyweight champion of Ultimate Fighting Championship.
"This is a sport that sells out everywhere it goes,‘’ said Jonnelle Brown of Portland, who is among those who hope it will be legalized in Tennessee. She and her husband enjoy watching bouts via DirecTV. “People of all ages go to it, men and women. I have female friends that like it.”
Brown said she enjoys how the sport mixes boxing, wrestling and Asian martial arts, and she doesn’t understand why it isn’t legal here.
She also noted that it was another sport that could help fill Nashville’s arena, the Sommet Center, where the future of the Nashville Predators pro hockey team seems uncertain.
Fans follow the sport
Todd said the sport could have a “tremendous economic impact” in the state from tourists who will travel here to see fights.
Ticket sales can run in the millions of dollars for a major event, he noted, with television networks such as ESPN anxious to broadcast bouts.
Todd said he expects to see representatives from some of the large arenas in the state to show their support.
"I think not only legislators in the state want it, but the citizens throughout the state,‘’ Todd said.
“I have been hearing from them all over the state.”
The committee also will look at updating state boxing regulations and whether to set up a new commission to oversee sports such as boxing, wrestling and mixed martial arts, he said.
http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071024/NEWS0201/710240430/1009/NEWS
Ah, people see the dollar bills!
Don’t forget to Help make MMA/UFC legal in TN
http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=60975