Massachusetts Latest State to Regulate MMA; NY Last Big Holdout

Massachusetts on Monday signed mixed martial arts sanctioning into law. The addition of the Bay State brings to 42 the total number of states in the U.S. that now regulate MMA competition.

The only real target of major focus in the U.S. is New York, the lone major market holdout when it comes to MMA regulation.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship, a major proponent of regulation in the U.S., has pushed hard in New York to gain regulation, and expects that passage of such could come as soon as 2010.

With passage in Massachusetts, the UFC says it will be in Boston in 2010, possibly as soon as summer.

(Map provided by the Ultimate Fighting Championship)

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.

MMA Bill Inches A Step Closer In Massachusetts

Legalized MMA is inching closer to reality in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday passed "An Act To Regulate The Sport Of Mixed Martial Arts" with a favorable review, clearing it for a debate and vote on the Senate floor.

There are still more steps to go. If the Senate passes the bill, it will be read in the House and examined for amendments, and any amendments suggested by the House will need to be approved by the Senate.

If the bill gets through the amendment process, called "engrossing," the House and Senate will vote on whether to enact the bill.

From there, the bill goes to the Governor, who signs, vetoes, or amends the legislation.

It's a long and exhausting process, but so far, all signs have been pointing in the right direction, meaning we could see MMA in Boston by the end of the year or early 2010.