| Michican has no love for Ultimate Fighting! |
By Businessweek.com
State officials are taking a closer look at ultimate fighting in Michigan, calling the caged events illegal and potentially life-threatening.
The Department of Labor and Economic Growth said Friday it had issued a cease and desist order against Bay City-based Adoreable Promotions Inc., creator of the Original Toughman Contest, and promoter Gregory Ahrens.
Ahrens’ event scheduled for Saturday in Muskegon will still be held, but state regulators plan to be there watching intently.
"Our position has been that ultimate fighting is illegal in Michigan," said Archie Millben, enforcement director for the Bureau of Commercial Services. "In some of the bouts, people just box each other. What they’re putting on constitutes an unlicensed professional boxing show."
The order involves an unlicensed event held at Saginaw’s Dow Event Center on Dec. 15, for which fighters were paid, according to the state. Professional ultimate fighting is illegal in Michigan — except at American Indian casinos — but regulators want to investigate "amateur" mixed martial arts bouts.
Ahrens said Friday that a travel stipend or gas money — not prize money — was given to contestants at the December event. He added that Saturday’s fighters won’t be paid at all. He also plans to have fighters fill out waiver forms saying they’re amateurs.
"Amateur martial arts are exempt from regulation of the state," said Ahrens, of Richland, west of Battle Creek. "We intend to comply with the law."
He said he doesn’t plan to hand out trophies or medals at Saturday’s bouts. In mixed martial arts bouts, athletes kick, chop, hold, wrestle and strike each other over three rounds.
Millben said he’s worried about safety — not just whether fighters are paid, like in pro bouts shown on TV.
"You’re letting caged fighting go on in Michigan. It’s big in the country, so it’s something under focus right now," he said.
But Ahrens said mixed martial arts bouts have been held in Michigan previously, saying 50 promoters around Michigan are arranging events.
When asked if the bouts have been allowed, Millben said: "I won’t say they’ve been allowed. I would say we didn’t know about them. … We’ve just caught up with them, to tell you the truth."
The courts could eventually decide whether amateur ultimate fighting is legal in Michigan.
"The potential injuries to participants in these types of contests or exhibitions are often costly and potentially life-threatening," said Robert Swanson, director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth.
Ahrens responded: "Anytime you get into a fight is life-threatening," adding that fights can be stopped.
| " | These people need to get with Reality. Ultimate fighting is here to stay! If you can't beat them join them. The state of Michican needs to understand this is good for them! |
