AB 76

Current law contains numerous provisions regulating professional boxing and

amateur and professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting contests and

exhibitions. These provisions require licensure of promoters and clubs where

contests and exhibitions are held; permits for boxing and MMA fighting contests; and

licenses for matchmakers, managers, referees, boxers, mixed martial arts fighters,

and seconds. They also contain other requirements that apply specifically to either

boxing or MMA contests or exhibitions. With respect to MMA fighting contests, the

requirements of the law include 1) that contestants be covered by adequate health

insurance; 2) that licensed referees and judges be present at MMA contests; and 3)

that a physician be present at each match and that emergency medical services

personnel be present. These provisions regulating professional boxing and amateur

and professional MMA fighting contests and exhibitions are enforced and

administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services, which has

promulgated more detailed rules to implement them.

This bill generally substitutes "unarmed combat sports" for "mixed martial arts

fighting" in these provisions so that all unarmed combat sports—including

wrestling, kickboxing, karate, mixed martial arts, and any other form of unarmed

combat—are subject to the same laws that apply to amateur and professional MMA

fighting. The bill exempts from the law, however: 1) any karate contest, match, or

exhibition in which all of the contestants are amateur participants; 2) any

interscholastic or intercollegiate contest, match, or exhibition; and 3) an elementary

or secondary school, college, or university karate or wrestling coach who receives

compensation for teaching or coaching karate or wrestling only from the school,

college, or university.