10,000 Maine-iacs: Vacationland on the verge of MMA regulation

by Jesse Holland on Jun 4, 2009 10:48 AM EDT

The state of Maine, current and former home to fighters like Tim Sylvia, Marcus Davis and Mike Thomas Brown, is on the verge of becoming the latest state to sanction the sport of mixed martial arts, according to The Bangor Daily News.

A measure passed by the House and Senate (119-17) would establish the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine to regulate and promote mixed martial arts competitions, exhibitions and events with five governor-appointed members assigned to the authority.

From Rep. Matthew Petersen, D-Rumford:

"This legislation provides for the oversight of what is one of the fastest-growing sports. Maine is missing out on a golden opportunity to bring in new revenues. The UFC itself purchases 600 hotel rooms when they bring an event to town."

The bill faces final approval before heading to Gov. John Baldacci for signing.

Getting Maine on board would be more great news for fans of MMA.

Not only does it give promoters an additional avenue for events, it could help put pressure on the squatters over in New York who keep pushing the MMA regulation bill to the bottom of the pile, especially if New Yorkers make a mass exodus to spend their money in other states like Pennsylvania — who will hold a major pay-per-view event at Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center on August 8.

Don’t cry for me Assemblyman Reilly.

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To my knowledge, the only place more exciting than Maine is Delaware… In Wanye’s World Voice: “Hey, I’m in Delaware… Yeeahhhh… Delaware…?”

by Cole on Jun 4, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions

I dont know that many people will be excited about this news. lol

Anyone from Maine on this site?

by john on Jun 4, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m in NB Canada…Maine is only an hour away for me and I’d love to see them go to Portland or Bangor although I doubt a promotion as big as the UFC would come but maybe WEC or Bellator or something else of decent reputation might come this way.

WAR MAINE!!!

by Buster Bluth on Jun 4, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

The begining of high maintenance MMA. Hope the fans aren’t a bunch of Tim Sylvia goofs.

by El mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on Jun 4, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

Pahk the cah by the hah-bah and have a lobstah fah dinnah.

by PW on Jun 4, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

You guys would be surprised if you ever took a trip to Maine. We have a stable of great fighters and some very good academies.

Everyone from John Travolta, to the Bush family, to Dana White have homes in Maine. This place must suck…

We just like to keep it a secret so a*holes like you don’t decide to move here!

by Mainiac on Jun 4, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

Guess Maine is the only place where Travolta could buy enough land to park the “spaceship” that him and Tom Cruise use to spread the word of scientology. LMAO.

by Cole on Jun 4, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

And Stephen King is there if I am not mistaken….

by DJ on Jun 4, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

YEAH! I live in Portland It would be awsome if they did a fight night or something here. Where do you live Mainiac?

by Cliff on Jun 4, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

Oh well looks like Marcus Davis won’t have to keep pushing his Irish/Welsh/Scottish heritage on the UK audience anymore if he can now fight in his home town.

by David W-S on Jun 4, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

I live in Bangor Maine and trained with Marcus for 2 years.. It would be really cool for this to happen here. Baldacci is a huge tool though, so we shall see.

by Eddie on Jun 4, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions