State Representative Mark Falzone helped pass mixed martial arts (MMA) legislation in the Massachusetts House of Representatives that creates mandatory statewide safety standards as well as age and insurance requirements for MMA events.

Representative Falzone noted, “The new sport of mixed martial arts combines elements of many different fighting disciplines. As this sport has come into greater prominence, it is important that we ensure that it operates under reasonable guidelines of safety and that the participants are protected in the same fashion as similarly combative sports”.

The bill renames the State Boxing commission as the State Athletic Commission and empowers this new entity to issue licenses for MMA events across the state. Upon issuing a license, the State Athletic Commission is required to notify the municipality in which each event is scheduled to take place. According to the bill’s “opt-out” clause, the municipality has seven days to prohibit the event by a majority vote of the city council or board of selectmen.

“This bill imposes necessary regulations on mixed martial arts activity in Massachusetts,” House Speaker Robert DeLeo said. “As this sport grows in our state, it is imperative that we have strict guidelines in place to promote safety in mixed martial arts.”

“Our committee worked with the Department of Public Safety to ensure that when these mixed martial events do occur, they are regulated by both state and local officials,” said Rep. Michael A. Costello, chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. “This bill ensures that the events will be conducted in a safe and responsible manner.”