Iowa needs better MMA regulation

Zack Kirk was paralyzed during his fight in Iowa. The promoter is not required to help pay his medical bills.

Not long after the debacle in Virginia where the sanctioning body in the state, the VDPOR, had botched its third pro event, the Des Moines Register has an interesting article about the dangers of sanctioning amateur fights in states that have no in-state athletic commission to oversee MMA bouts. The author brings up past fights in which inexperienced fighters were badly injured after fights in the state. In one case, a 17 year old was allowed to fight even though he did not have parental permission. Another fighter, Zach Kirk, was paralyzed due to injuries sustained during a fight. Due to the lack of true regulation in the state, the promoter was not required to cover the medical costs and refused to pay.

The article has some interesting points about the dangers of fighting in some states where MMA is not properly regulated. The UFC has made it clear that it wants to legalize MMA in every state, but it seems that some of the states that sanction and support professional fights need to work on their amateur rules and regulations.

The Des Moines Register has more on the topic and why Iowa is particularly vulnerable to the lack of amateur regulation.

Some promoters let fighters into the ring even if they’re impaired by alcohol or drugs, don’t check IDs for birth dates, and pit lighter, rookie fighters against bigger, veteran foes. They don’t require blood tests, leaving fighters vulnerable to catch a disease if an opponent with HIV or hepatitis gets cut and blood flies.

Iowa has more amateur fighters in mixed martial arts than most states because of the state’s deep roots in wrestling, insiders said. Any Iowan can usually find a show at least once a week within 60 miles, they said.

Iowa doesn’t regulate mixed martial arts fights if the contestants aren’t paid. Iowa Labor Commissioner David Neil said some promoters pay fighters under the table — $100 to $1,500 per fight — to pretend they’re amateurs to avoid following government rules.

MMA fans have cheered the UFC’s recent news that Alabama will soon be the next state to legalize MMA. Massachusetts is set to legalize MMA on Monday, and Pennsylvania legalized Mixed Martial Arts early last year. But, it seems that some other states, like Virginia and now Iowa need more attention than the states that have yet to sanction the fastest growing sport in America. I’m afraid we’ll hear many more of these stories in the newly sanctioned states. Luckily, Iowa is looking to pay a bill to properly sanction amateur fights in the state.