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By: Cameron Lyman, MMATorch Contributor
Human beings are a dangerous bunch. Without the rule of law, the fabric of our society would go up in flames. Given the right circumstances, us humans are capable of the unspeakable in order to survive. And so we choose to live in a system where we are governed by laws, enforceable by punishment, to protect us from ourselves. In a way, we give up a small amount of our true freedom, in order to live in a free and safe world. The law of the land should reflect the wants of the people, so we assign Governors, Premiers, Prime Ministers, and Presidents to represent these wants. However, a problem occurs when you try to legislate morality. In my eyes, in order for there to be a crime, there has to be a victim.
But what if a person wants to engage in activity that may be harmful to themselves? I believe the answer should be: As long as you’re not harming or disrupting anyone else. There was a time when the consumption of alcohol was illegal. This led to bootlegging, which resulted in violent underworld wars over the control of the territories of trade. Prohibition proved a failure due to the fact that a large portion of the population did not agree with this law and it created bigger problems for society. If people want to do it, they’re going to do it. If what you’re doing is harmful to yourself but is disrupting some people, then there is a need for regulation. And so we consume alcohol in bars and smoke our cigarettes... where can we smoke cigarettes nowadays?
My next question is, what if two people willingly engage in an activity that may be harmful to each other? I suppose that would depend on what the activity was? Is anyone else being harmed? Are all parties consenting? This brings to mind the prohibition of marijuana and prostitution. Of course, these are two very different products of society but the implications are the same. They exist because there is a demand for them to exist. As well, if both of them are to exist, then there is a need for regulation, as they need to be made as safe as possible for all involved. After all, should my representatives tell me what I can and can't do to my body if I'm not harming or disturbing anyone else?
This brings us to fighting. You can bet, in the early days of man, when there was a fight, people watched. Over time, combat as a sport has evolved throughout many cultures worldwide. Whether it was the gladiators of Rome or two professional boxers, people have always shown interest in combat sports; but since it gained mainstream presence in the early nineties, mixed martial arts has proved to be extremely controversial. In its beginning, there were very little rules and regulations, which produced a kind of freak show of fighting. Soon enough, opponents of the sport arose and the UFC and other promotions began to face legal battles before hosting events. With the help of Senator John McCain and others, MMA became banned in most states.
Referee John McCarthy and commenter turned UFC commissioner Jeff Blatnick began to work with the various state athletic commissions to make changes to the sport to increase fighter safety. Going forward, one of their main challenges was in educating law makers in the safety of the sport. On September 30th, 2000, the first state-regulated MMA event was held using the Unified Rules of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. On January 1, 2001, Station Casino executives Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta purchased the UFC and, with their ties to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, got MMA legalized in Nevada. As the sport evolved and grew, more and more states eventually lifted the MMA ban. Today, the UFC and other promotions see New York State as the final stronghold of MMA opposition.
As it stands now, it is completely ridiculous that MMA could be unregulated by any state. Smoking cigarettes is the cause for 1 in 5 deaths in the USA, over 440,000 people yearly, yet cigarettes are not made illegal for two reasons: The people want them and there is way too much money being made for them to be illegal. So as long as the money is flowing, our representatives will allow us to harm ourselves, even kill ourselves if that's what we want. It's no wonder that Zuffa has used a strategy of presenting the economic impact of regulation to New York State lawmakers, in order to have the sport sanctioned.
Regarding the safety of the sport, to date there have been nine deaths from MMA fights, six of those fights coming in unsanctioned bouts and all coming in small promotions. In larger promotions such as the UFC, fighters are screened for pre-existing medical conditions prior to fights and are suspended from the sport when injuries and concussions occur. In fact, many studies conclude that MMA is safer than sports like football, hockey and even boxing.
So how can it be that MMA is still banned in New York State? If you listen to Dana White, the picture becomes even more troubling. According to White, the reason that MMA remains banned in New York has to do with the Las Vegas Culinary Union and its beef with the Fertitta brothers. According to White, the union takes issue with the Fertitta's unwillingness to allow unions into its casinos and the UFC.
In an interview with UFC Tonight, Dana stated, "We are working on [hosting a UFC event in New York]. Its amazing what dirty, stinking gangsters this Culinary Union from Las Vegas is. They are the scummiest group of people you could ever even imagine dealing with, and they are very powerful. The corruption that is going on over there is mind boggling, mind boggling, what dirty gangster's corruption is going on between New York and the Las Vegas Culinary Union. It's just, you would never think this would be possible in 2013, it's like a movie. Bullying? No, we are talking dirty stinking gangster stuff. It's not even about bullying. We are in the business where bullying wouldn't bother you. This is dirty, slimy, and grimy. I mean, I'm talking gangster. You would never imagine this could happen in the government in this country in 2013. The Las Vegas Culinary Union are dirty, dirty gangsters, and the politicians in New York are right in it. Madison Square Garden has been phenomenal in supporting us, and bringing this event to New York. The fans in New York have been phenomenal in supporting us and bringing this thing to New York. There is no reason why this thing shouldn't be in New York other than the dirty gangster, and criminal stuff that's going on between the Las Vegas Cuinary Union and officials in New York."
If in fact the Las Vegas Culinary Union has successfully lobbied New York politicians to uphold the ban on MMA, for reasons unrelated to the sport, then we truly have a reason to be furious. As the fastest growing sport in the world, it is clear that the majority of the people have no problem with MMA legalization. Any logical person who is educated on the subject can clearly see that this sport is here to stay and needs to be regulated. If our representatives base our laws on the wants of the highest bidder, as opposed to the wants of the people, then we truly live in a broken system.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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