Congress has a full docket of policy issues to contend with including tax reform, healthcare reform, our crumbling infrastructure and dealing with North Korean sabre rattling. With such crucial national security and economic policy issues, it’s surprising that Congress is set to hold its second hearing in a year on a bill regarding federal supervision and control of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
A subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee recently held a hearing on “Perspectives on Mixed Martial Arts,” to discuss expanding the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to include MMA. To give context here, the law was passed nearly 20 years ago to regulate the sport of boxing because managers, like Don King, had been exerting tremendous influence over the boxers. While there is a known history of injuries and questionable ethics in boxing, this just isn’t the same narrative for Mixed Martial Arts.
The MMA is already regulated by state athletic commissions that take athletes’ health and safety very seriously. The UFC, as the largest and most recognized MMA promotional organization in the world, has become the face of the sport. Also, UFC has worked closely with regulatory bodies to ensure a standard system of rules and regulations that protect athletes and provide for an entertaining fan experience. In addition to UFC, there are several other MMA promotion companies that provide athletes the opportunity to compete. This competition, unlike sports like professional football, ensure that fighters have options.
Mixed Martial Arts is fundamentally an American sport which has grown in popularity over the last two decades, amassing an audience of over 40 million. This global presence has attracted tremendous exposure to the athletes through one of the most enthusiastic fan bases across sports. The UFC has helped form the MMA into a sport that is fair and consistent with the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, and has been central in this evolution of MMA from a little-known spectacle to a popular mainstream sport with equal opportunities across race and gender. Furthermore, the UFC was the first combat sports organization to provide its athletes with accident insurance coverage for training-related injuries. Such efforts come down to the simple fact that for the fighters to be happy and healthy they need to be able to do well in and outside of the Octagon.
The Ali Expansion Act is slowly moving through Washington corridors, and still has a long path ahead before it would ever become law. But at a time when Republicans are trying to identify and pass meaningful legislation, the MMA regulation effort seems like a serious waste of time and perspective.
Republicans control the levers of Washington. But their ability to hold on to Congressional majorities will be directly related to their legislative accomplishments — and while the list of America’s legislative priorities is long, regulating MMA sports is nowhere on it.
Members should focus on kitchen table issues that can help American families, not petty concerns that benefit no one.
Darren Bearson, the president of Compass Point Strategies, worked in the White House’s Office of Political Affairs under President George W. Bush (2001-2005) and has advised Republican candidates in more than 30 states over the past 20 years.