The state of Pennsylvania has had some really terrible rules for
Amateur Mixed Martial Arts since the state legalized the sport a few
years ago. The amateurs are not allowed to punch to the head while on
the ground; the part of the sport referred to as ground and pound. That
is like playing football and not allowing the forward pass.
These awful rules have been causing most of the amateurs in this area to fight in Ohio because they do not have such a ridiculous rule. It has severely kept MMA from growing in our state and in Western Pennsylvania in particular.
Many of Pittsburgh’s gym owner, trainers, fighters, and local politicians (most notably Representative Daryl Metcalf from Cranberry, Representative Eli Evankovich from the 54 legislative district, and Mr. Robert Johnson from Governor Corbett’s Office) have all come together in conjunction with great cooperation with State Athletic Commissioner Executive Director Greg Sirb and proposed and passed a rules change to allow ground and pound for the amateur fighters in Pennsylvania.
This rules change will allow our fighters to fight here in western Pennsylvania in front of their hometown crowds as many of them prepare to make the transition into professional fighting and chase their goals of being a champion.
The rules change is now in the final stage of approval. A state agency called the (IRRC) Independent Regulatory Review Commission will be voting on final approval of the rules changes in a few weeks.
PLEASE – PLEASE – PLEASE Take the time to help the fighters and the sport of MMA and send a short email to the IRRC showing your support for the rules change. Your email may be what makes the difference.
Just take a few seconds to send a message similar to this:
______________________________
Dear IRRC:
I am an avid supporter of mma and I urge you to pass the proposed rules change. It will not only be safer to allow our young fighters to fight locally instead of everyone having to make the long drive to Ohio, it will allow all the revenue that Ohio is currently generating by having more mma events than any other state to stay in our state where the jobs and revenue are badly needed
Thank you for your consideration.
(Sign your name and address and whether you are a fan, fighter, trainer etc…)
SEND THE EMAIL TO:
sschalles@irrc.state.pa.us
______________________________
We really need your help here, so please take two minutes and send this email. It will really help.
I am totally for this...
NOW if they would just eliminate that ridiculous age limitation in favor of a system where a certified medical professional can certify a fighter (regardless of age) who wishes to fight and is capable of competing be allowed to fight in the cage.
