Mixed Martial Arts in Maryland

Governor Martin O'Malley last month signing a new law passed my the Maryland legislature. The new law adds mixed martial arts to the list of sports regulated by the Maryland State Athletic Commission, effective October 1, 2008.

This is a big step towards sanctioned mixed martial arts (also sometimes called Ultimate Fighting Championship fighting) events in Maryland. Now comes the arduous task of drafting the regulations to keep competitions fair and safe for referees, organizers, and judges for mixed martial arts fights.

We can expect sanctioned mixed martial arts bouts in Maryland sometime in 2009, once we get our act together to put all of the appropriate rules in place.