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Fighters Pushing For Sport To Become Legal In StateByline: Brett Orzechowski
Aug. 19--NEW HAVEN -- Calls are made and dates are set and for five weeks a Connecticut mixed martial arts fighter trains for the next event, hoping that it doesn't fall through. Sometimes they drive three hours to towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, only to receive word that the trip was made for nothing.
It's a situation some fighters from Connecticut know too well.
The sport is illegal in this state. To the north, Massachusetts has developed a strong network of teachers and gyms. The sport is legal there and in New Hampshire. There has been some discussion about New York taking the necessary steps to rewrite its legislation but nothing official has been announced. The process is lengthy. There are factors to consider.
The brutality. The liability. The head trauma most associate with the sport, which has been proven to be less debilitating than boxing. Since the Ultimate Fighting Championship made its debut in 1993, no professional fatalities have been reported in the sport, but skeptics also argue that the time frame is too short to prove there are no long-term physical effects.
Fighters maintain the sport's disciplines are art forms. Fighters from the state also wonder why there is no governing body to look over the sport outside of casinos.
"Most states have reacted quickly because they recognize the appeal and the opportunities. It's not a rush to judgement, but someone in this state should look into it," MMA trainer Roger Denton said. "The problem is, I don't know of anyone moving quickly on this."
Denton has taken his fighters to New Jersey, Massachusetts and Canada while he and managers frantically look for bouts. One of Denton's light heavyweights, John Clarke, began training last month for an event at a Holiday Inn in Springfield, Mass., scheduled for Saturday. Two weeks ago, a better opportunity surfaced out of state. Clarke will drive three hours for an event in Atlantic City, N.J., on Sept. 7. It is more lucrative and a chance for Clarke to reach another level in the sport.
He will travel with small minions. Clarke would prefer a 15-minute drive as opposed to a haul down the New Jersey Turnpike.
Still, the Connecticut Boxing Commission is strictly a pugilistic endeavor. There are no clear federal guidelines for MMA, but the UFC adheres to a set of regulations that the New Jersey Athletic Control Board created. Other states have adopted the rules. Those states also have governing bodies.
Fighters can train in Connecticut. In terms of public shows, though, the debate has been presented the past two years to the CBC. The state's boxing governing body has a number of issues to deal with before examining MMA. Meanwhile, fighters continue to travel for experience and sometimes a payday.
"Is it because there isn't enough information out there? Possibly, but by the time something happens, if it happens, does that mean fighters in this state are behind those in others?" Clarke asked. "These things take time. We know that. Will it happen? I don't know."
Events will continue to be held on sovereign ground while national interest remains strong. Denton contends that too many people believe MMA is a niche sport. He points to cable ratings, suggesting otherwise. (UFC took a large portion of the NBA Finals ratings in June.)
Even though the sport is not as violent as it was when Denton broke in to MMA in the 1990s, he said boxing is now an afterthought. Gyms are now filled with fighters, not just boxers.
Boxing purists argue MMA is a fad.
Denton and Clarke have tried to convince people otherwise.
They know more convincing is needed.
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Copyright (c) 2007, New Haven Register, Conn.