SB 599

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 (DSPS), which

has promulgated more detailed rules to implement them.

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

fighting" in these provisions, thereby subjecting any form of fighting that falls within

the bill's definition of "unarmed combat sports" to the same laws that currently apply

to amateur and professional MMA fighting. The bill defines "unarmed combat

sports" as any form of fighting in which the objective is for a contestant to injure,

disable, or incapacitate one's opponent, excluding any fighting in a contest for which

the rules prohibit a contestant from striking an opponent's head.

In addition, the bill does the following:

1. Allows DSPS to require, in its discretion, that more than one physician be

present during an unarmed combat sports match to provide emergency care in the

event of an injury.

2. Grants DSPS explicit rule-making authority to implement and enforce the

laws regulating boxing and unarmed combat sports.

3. Provides definitions for the terms "boxing" and "mixed martial arts fighting."