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South Carolina to vote today on lifting ban on MMA

The number of states currently sanctioning mixed martial arts competitions could soon grow to 38 ... real soon.

South Carolina legislators are looking to lift a ban that prevents fights from occurring within the state. The measure is set for a vote today in the full Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee. The House approved the bill in February.

Unlike in other states like New York, the measure to legitimize MMA in the Palmetto State looks to be facing significantly fewer roadblocks. The state has a strong existing fan base and legislators are eager to tap in to the economic benefits of bringing larger MMA shows to the state.

Officials have estimated the move could yield 5 percent of ticket receipts for the state Revenue Department, as well as 5 percent for the Athletic Commission, not to mention the considerable economic boom for local hotels, restaurants, bars and other retail stores.

That all adds up pretty fast.

The bill would lift the ban on MMA and place the sport under the regulation of the state Athletic Commission. Licensing of professional fighters would include physical exams, blood tests and drug testing, just as other states require.

While the state currently bans the sport, it has no jurisdiction over the U.S. Marines’ training facility at Parris Island, where an International Championship Fighting event occurred last October.

"I don’t think it’s any more dangerous than football," said Sen. Lee Bright (R-Roebuck) in a recent interview with the USA Today. In fact, the Senator admits some of his friends are "huge fans" of the combat sport.

Sen. Jake Knotts (R-Lexington), who introduced the measure in 2008, said that lifting the ban and regulating the sport would help curb illegal fights that have taken place in the past. Said the Senator, legalizing the sport would be better than residents "going in the back woods somewhere and getting hurt."

Michael Tyler, chairman of South Carolina’s Athletic Commission, said that he fields calls on a weekly basis from promoters hoping to get the ban lifted. "It would be a huge economic impact, monetarily for the state," he said.

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Hopefully it passes, would be another step forward for MMA.

by DCRage on May 8, 2009 12:11 PM EDT reply actions  

might as-well it’s not like theres alot going on in that boring state anyways……..

by mikeybear on May 8, 2009 12:14 PM EDT reply actions  

Yah. I grew up in SC (Aiken, near the Georgia border, if anyone knows where thats at). This will pretty much be just for the smaller shows and whatnot, because I really don’t see anywhere in the state that would be big enough for the UFC. MAYBE Charleston, MAYBE Columbia, but thats about it.

by Synyster on May 8, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

I still think it’s weird that we both left SC for Embry-Riddle in FL and ROTC.

Sumter, SC definitely sucked

by Punch You in the Ovaries on May 9, 2009 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions  

lol true that, I went to basic training there, Relaxin Jackson, I couldn’t stand the humidity/bugs.

by O damn he got caught on May 8, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

Paris Island

by scott on May 8, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

mybad ,Fort Jackson in Columbia

by scott on May 8, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

I was thinking the Marines

by scott on May 8, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

yea I went to the army cause of the bonus =P ; I didn’t realize Paris Island was in SC? Would explain why I was sharing AIT with Marines at Fort Leesure

by O damn he got caught on May 8, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yep,the biggest boot camp for the Marines,I use to have to go Fort Jackson all the time when I was younger,my dad was a former Marine and he use to take me on the base to go shopping when I was a kid

by scott on May 8, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

nothin against marines but damn they were some cocky bastards

by O damn he got caught on May 8, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

they usually are ,most people thought my dad was A hole

by scott on May 8, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

I’m Army myself. Doing ROTC to pay for college. Punch You in the Ovaries actually went to the place I’m at now. Did ROTC and everything, the same way I’m doing it. ’Cept he went the (Ch)Air Force way. =P

by Synyster on May 8, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

lol @ Chair Force

by O damn he got caught on May 8, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

Synyster…are you at JSU?

by Alpha Male 360 on May 8, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

Nah. ERAU. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at Daytona Beach Florida. What is JSU?

by Synyster on May 8, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Jacksonville State University,AL…Sorry man,my mistake.It’s because of Kev the other day who was making a remark at punch concerning JSU and we had ROTC there also…So i figure…!

by Alpha Male 360 on May 8, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

Integrity of MMA has nothing to do with these discussions.

Its just a bunch of political posturing to figure out the financial payoff for all the relevant parties involved.

by OJR on May 8, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions  

Absolutely and it’s absurd.

by DSmith on May 8, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree. I also think some of the older state officials in many states still think of it the way McCain did/does. I think once they understand that it’s not just “human cockfighting” they’ll ease they’re resistance. I could understand them if this was the UFC of old….no weight classes, pulling hair, kneeing downed opponents, etc…..but those days are gone.

by Greggo on May 8, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

You are right ,the only reason it has taken this long is due to living in the belt buckle of the bible belt,this state is ran by alot of conservatives,I mean look at our Governor,he is more worried about being on Fixed News,than worring about his people,but I am not going to rant anymore about Politics

by scott on May 8, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don’t really think this has anything to do with being a Conservative or a Liberal. As for “Fixed News”, are you referring to MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, The New York Times, etc? LOL! I had to get that in there.

by Greggo on May 8, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

All the info they need is in plain sight. Their arguments are antiquated. It’s all red tape bs under the guise holding the fabric of morality in this country together.

by DSmith on May 8, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

It is about time my home joins the rest of the world.It is still highly unlikely we will ever be able to host a big event,but it is nice for the fighters from SC,now they will be able to fight in there own state instead of competing in NC or GA

by scott on May 8, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions  

You obviously know your state better than I do but I don’t see why SC couldn’t host a big MMA event. I could see Dana wanting to be one of the first to put on a good show there when/if the ban is lifted. I wish your state luck in this vote.

by Greggo on May 8, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah Scott, I said the same thing about hosting a big event. Im from there too (see above post), and I can’t really think of anywhere big enough to hold a PPV. MAYBE a Fight Night, but thats it.

by Synyster on May 8, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

whats up fellow sandlapper,(I know we have one of the cheesiest nicknames).I am originally from Greer(right outside of Greenville),live in Anderson now.
 The only thing about UFC is no matter where they put the show it would sell out due to people traveling,so they could put on a show at the BiLo Center in Greenville ,it holds between 15 -16000,or they could do a show The Carolina Center(disgust)in Columbia which I think it holds 18000,but do not quote me on that one,or they could do a show at the North Charleston Arena,which is like the same size as the BiLo Center.With all that said ,I think they could do a Fight Night in SC,which would still be great to me,better than nothing

by scott on May 8, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

Its time for all to exit the cave!!!!!!!

by the spyder on May 8, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions  

yes they need to do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!the south will be back

by Bryan on May 25, 2009 2:35 AM EDT reply actions  

They could definitely put on a big show in South Carolina. There are a lot of fans in the state. Plus, like scott says, people would travel to come see a UFC show. If the South Carolina Gamecocks can draw 80,000 on a regular basis, then I’m sure the UFC could muster up at least 10,000 local fans.

by Jerad on Jun 18, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions  

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