Massachusetts MMA Bill Heads To House

The Massachusetts State Senate on Tuesday passed a bill aimed at regulating mixed martial arts to the House of Representatives, the final step before the bill goes to the Governor's desk.

"An Act To Regulate The Sport of Mixed Martial Arts," authored by senator James E. Timilty, passed by a 34-1 vote, with no arguments raised on the floor during session. Senator Timilty, who represents the counties of Bristol and Norfolk, told MMAInsider he was very encouraged by the bill's progress.

"I'll take that vote any day," he said.

The bill will now undergo the House "engrossment" process, wherein the legislation will be read three separate times by different committees in the chamber. The House Ways and Means Committee, which examines bills with fiscal implications, will review the bill first.

Senator Timilty hoped the bill would clear the house in the next month to pave way for a major promoter, presumably the UFC, to put Massachusetts on its schedule.

The UFC has released an economic study naming Boston and Worcester as potential destinations for the promotion.

"Maybe they’d entertain a winter show in a large city in the Commonwealth," he said.