Massachusetts becomes 42nd state to regulate MMA

Associated Press

Massachusetts became the 42nd state to regulate the sport of mixed martial arts Monday, signing into law a bill that will form the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission. The UFC is planning to bring an event to Boston in mid-2010.

By Brett Okamoto (contact)

Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 | 8:32 p.m.

Massachusetts became the 42nd state to regulate mixed martial arts on Monday.

Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law a bill that requires the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission to become the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission and add the oversight of MMA to its responsibilities.

The news doesn’t come as a big surprise to MMA fans, as UFC president Dana White had already promised to bring a UFC event to Boston in 2010, either to The Boston Garden or Fenway Park.

That lack of surprise, however, did little to lower White’s enthusiasm on hearing the news.

“ I am so pumped that the UFC is finally coming to Massachusetts,” White said in a statement released by the UFC. “I guarantee that we will put on an incredible UFC event in Boston in 2010.”

“[New York] is next,” added White via his Twitter account.

The first event in Boston could happen as early as summer 2010.

Another prominent figure in getting the sport regulated in the state was Boston-based UFC lightweight Kenny Florian, who testified before the Joint Committee of Public Safety and Homeland Security in support of the new bill.

A long-standing advertisement on UFC.com has included a photo of Florian proclaiming, "I want to fight in my home state."

As of Monday, it may finally be time to take that ad down.

“The chance to fight in front of my hometown crowd has always been a dream of mine,” Florian said. “It looks like my dream will finally come true.”

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com.