- Posted by: Rick
- Published: Jul 27th, 2010
- Category: News
State Athletic Commission Update
This message is being sent out to update you as to a number of important developments relative to the State Athletic Commission. It is being sent to the Commission’s entire contact list, but please feel free to forward this along to anybody who may be interested in the information as they may not yet be on the list. Please take a few moments to review the entire notice.
As always, please feel free to direct any inquires relative to Commission business to either Guy Licciardi, the Commission’s director, or Ronnie Drimer, the Commission’s administrator, by emailing: guy.licciardi@state.ma.us or ronnie.drimer@state.ma.us. They will either offer assistance or forward the matter on to the Commission for review.
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FINAL REGULATIONS
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As you may be aware, the Commission recently adopted a final set of regulations. They may be accessed by logging on to the Commission’s website (www.mass.gov/dps/sac) or by clicking here. Here are but a few of the more noteworthy provisions that people tend to ask about:
-the “double weigh in” provisions were removed for MMA, but kept in place for boxing. (section 13.05(2) and (3)).
-filing dates were clarified:
-application for event license must be submitted by
the promoter at least 30 days prior to the event
(section 10.02(4))
-fight cards for approved events must be submitted by
the matchmaker at least 10 days prior to the event
(section 10.12(1))
-bout agreements between the promoter and fighter
must be filed with the Commission at least 3 days
prior to the event (section 9.04(1))
-all fighters on the fightcard must have submitted a
completed application for a fighter’s license at least 7
days prior to the event (section 10.12(1))
**These are the deadlines, but applicants are encouraged to submit applications as far in advance as possible.
-fighters must submit a completed Record of Medical Examination form along with their application for a fighter’s license. The form must be completed by the fighter’s physician as part of the required physical. The fighter must bring the required medical records to the physician for their review and approval as part of the physical. The required medical records are listed on the form. The form is attached to the bottom of all fighters’ applications and may also be accessed by clicking here.
-no fighter may compete unless the date of the fighter’s blood test results is within 6 months of the date of the scheduled event. Out of date tests must be updated and submitted to the Commission. (section 6.02(5))
-the Commission has adopted the World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2010 Prohibited List. Fighter’s may not use any of the substances identified on the List and are subject to random testing. (section 20.01) The List may be accessed on the WADA website or by clicking here.
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AMATEUR MMA
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The Commission has approved KICK International as the amateur sanctioning body for MMA in Massachusetts. Anyone desiring to engage in amateur MMA must seek the approval and sanctioning from KICK. KICK has appointed Louis Thouin as its Massachusetts representative. All questions should be directed to Louis. He can be reached at (413) 657-3238 or kicklou@mail.com.
The Commission has approved a set of rules which KICK will enforce. They may be downloaded on the Laws and Regulations link on the Commission’s website or by clicking here.
Prior to competing, amateur combatants must submit evidence to KICK demonstrating that they have undergone an annual physical and HIV and Hepatitis B & C testing within six months of the event. Please review the KICK rules for further requirements.
All amateur officials (not fighters) must be licensed by the Commission and approved by KICK. Anybody interested in officiating or getting involved with amateur MMA should contact Louis for more information.
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MIXEDMARTIALARTS.COM |
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The Commission belongs to a national organization known as the Association of Boxing Commissions (“ABC”). In an effort to achieve uniformity nationwide, the ABC selected mixedmartialarts.com as the official record keeping website for MMA. Accordingly, the Commission uses this site to maintain records of events and fighters. Promoters are asked to establish an account with the site and post your events and fightcards. Once it is posted on the site, the event will be added to the ”Upcoming Events” link on the Commission’s website so interested individuals will know when events have been officially sanctioned.
Fighters are being asked to review any existing profiles on the website and ensure that they are accurate. If they are not, please take steps to correct any errors. The Commission reviews these profiles as part of the licensing process and it is critical that the information be accurate.
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Once again, more information will be forthcoming soon. We look forward to continue working with the entire boxing, MMA, and unarmed combat community in making Massachusetts one of the premier fight destinations in the world. The Commission is greatly interested in listening to the industry’s comments on all issues of interest with an eye towards developing the best possible set of rules and procedures possible. Thank you for your support.
Very truly yours,
State Athletic Commission |
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News From MMA Junkie
Reep
on Jul 27th, 2010
@ 3:51 PM:
thanks for the info!!
kkline_83
on Jul 27th, 2010
@ 5:15 PM:
Even though some rules did go our way, I still have to bitch and complain. Correct me if I am wrong but I would say atleast a good 50% of fights get swapped around due to injury, last minute back outs, replacing fighters, replacing title fights/main events and not having medicals. Before when the MSAC didnt have a say in anything, this wasnt a problem but now promotors have to submit fight card within 10 days of the event? Does the MSAC know that in that 10 days, thats when things start getting changed around due to issues I listed above? Its already hard enough to find replacement fighters but now its almost impossible. I would like to see this rule either removed or another rule as a loop hole around the 10 day rule to allow a decent fight card to still happen. 6 card fights, empty seats…. yeah its only yhe beginning folks.
Maybe I am not understanding the new rules and I am wrong but they way I read it and the way I see it, this is going to be a MAJOR ISSUE for this sport in this state.
Jason Franklin
on Jul 27th, 2010
@ 9:17 PM:
The commission and KICK have been understanding and accommodating in my dealings with them. It has been a learning curve for all involved i.e. the commission, KICK, promoters, and match makers. But I think everyone is being a little hard on both agencies while the fact is they have helped more than they have hurt promotions. Its just a matter of communication.
kkline_83
on Jul 28th, 2010
@ 6:51 PM:
Jason, how many fights were at the last Reality Fighting event? Do you know why it went from 12+ fights to 6? They werent able to replace fighters due to the new rules. How is that helping promotions?
ksturdiv
on Jul 28th, 2010
@ 7:10 PM:
I’m pretty sure if fighters had their paper work in as if they were going to fight it would be easier to make replacement fights. Fighters need to go ahead and get registered even if they don’t plan on fighting for months.
Bonnell
on Jul 28th, 2010
@ 8:17 PM:
Kym I agree with you to a point. As a matchmaker it makes things easy on me if you do that, but as a fighter my license is only good for a year. If I get my license 3 months ahead now its only valid for 9 months before I have to get all my medicals done again. Nevermind New blood work every 6 months, In my experiance with the fighters here locally, 50 percent of them don’t have insurance and pay for this out of pocket. Thus, the fighters will always wait until the last minute to finish medicals in order to have a longer life expectancy on their License. Furthermore, as far as I understand the rules….once your initial license expires you must obtain an MRI or Cat scan for your second Licensed year as a professional. CATS are very expensive.
This state sucks, go to NH a license costs $15, same as corners etc, and you can get licensed same day as the fight. Hassle free.
And CAT scans are not required.
kkline_83
on Jul 28th, 2010
@ 9:36 PM:
ksturd, it doesnt matter if every fighter had there paper work in because when it comes down to it the night of or the night before, fights gets messed up for other reasons like weight issues, injury, backing out for personal reasons, etc. With this new rule of 10 day to submit fight card, it will make it impossible to get replacements even if all the fighters had there medicals. You see what I am saying? And the proof is in the pudding my friend, 6 fights… why even bother putting on a show? What do you have intermission after 3 fights? Or not at all? Someone needs to make a loophole to this rule or get rid of it all together.
Jason Franklin
on Jul 28th, 2010
@ 9:53 PM:
kkline,
I see where you are coming from. But if promoters, match makers, and fighters get all their paper work in on time there is no problem. Why did 6 fights get canceled at Reality Fighting? Was its the commissions fault or was it promoter/match maker/fighters fault. I don’t know because I wasn’t there but I am willing to bet fighters did not have proper paperwork. You can’t blame the commission for that.
I just had my first show (Premier FC) on July 24th. The day of the show 3 fights were canceled by KICK and the doctor because fighters that supposedly had medicals at weigh ins could not produce before the fight. Who’s fault is that? THE FIGHTERS for not having in proper paper work. I thanked them (KICK and the doctor) for not allowing them to compete because I don’t want to be that show that gets made an example of by the commission.
I agree this sport is expensive but if you want to get to the next level you sacrifice.
Even when you get to the next level its expensive. Ask any local fighter who has made it. But the struggle is worth the reward when you do make it.
Jason Franklin
on Jul 28th, 2010
@ 9:55 PM:
I do agree with Bonnell that NH is great. Never had a problem with them. Very accommodating. But my hope is that MA eventually works it all out and we are on par with NH.
Its a work in progress.
Dysqo Dave
on Jul 29th, 2010
@ 8:48 AM:
It will be interesting to see how RI handles MMA.
I think the higher costs, medicals, corners, etc. might be the reason why the majority of the seats for the UFC in Boston are in the 300- 600 range! (/end sarcasm font).
ryan parker
on Jul 29th, 2010
@ 11:41 AM:
I sat in on the commission meeting last night. They were very accommodating, working with the Cage Titans matchmaker approving a last minute replacement for Friday Night’s Fight card.
kkline_83
on Jul 29th, 2010
@ 1:06 PM:
Jason Franklin, you need to start looking at things outside the box. Lets say you are right, those guys didnt have there paper work done, IT DOESNT MATTER!!! You cant replace those fighters under the new rules of 10 day having fight card submitted. And even if all the fighters did have there paper work in check, fights would still cancel due to all the other reasons. This wasnt a problem in the past because you could find replacement fighters no problem but now when 1 fighter backs out, that turns into 2 fighters acking out.
You get it now? ITs not the commissions fault for turns outs being crappy, its the rules they have set (well 1 rule) that messes up the entire flow of things. If you have been around for years to actually see why fights have been canceled, its not because of paper work, its usually do to injury. I can name 10 people right now if you would like and each card and they were all canceled due to other reasons other than paper work. This wasnt a problem in the past but now its impossible to find replacements under the new rules.
Do you get it now?
vinjack
on Jul 30th, 2010
@ 11:13 AM:
Whats up with Mass refs? I just heard this morning that none were on the UFC show. Why is that? Anyone know?
Dysqo Dave
on Jul 30th, 2010
@ 2:11 PM:
Kevin the Ref not reffing for the UFC show is a joke. That guy has prob done more behind the scenes work to keep MMA going in MA ‘unregulated’ and helped make it ‘easier’ once regulation was here….
I think DLAU started a thread over on the UG a couple of months ago, I will dig it up and TTT it later.
Hagopian
on Aug 2nd, 2010
@ 4:50 PM:
Maybe the title of this article should have been Massachusetts State Athletic Commission update, since NorthEast MMA covers more than just activities in the State of Massachusetts, correct? I’m just saying.