Testimony in Support of the Rules for the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine

Yesterday in Augusta was the rule making proceeding of the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine to adopt new rules as required by Title 8 MRSA §523 relating to Mixed Martial Arts competitions/contests, including but not limited to rules designed to protect the health and safety of authorized participants and the integrity of the competition. Below is my testimony in support of the proposed rule.
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Chairman Bouffard and Members of the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine, I am Matt Peterson, proud to represent District 92 in the Maine House of Representatives, which includes the towns of Andover, Byron, Roxbury, Rumford, Weld and plantations of Rangeley and Sandy River plus the unorganized territories of West Central Franklin and Madrid Township. I am here today to speak in favor of the adoption of the rules to govern the sport of mixed martial arts here in Maine.

To begin with, I’d like to applaud you all for your service on this board. As the prime sponsor of the bill that created the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine, I have closely followed your work over the last nine months. You’ve met early, and you’ve met often, and you’ve approached the work of rulemaking with the diligence and attention to detail that it requires.

Our goals when my legislative colleagues and I set out to find a way to bring the sport of mixed martial arts to Maine were very clear. The safety of the sport’s participants and spectators was our highest priority. To that end, we knew we needed a regulatory body in place with strong standards to protect people. We also recognized that we weren’t the first state to sanction and regulate this sport--so we also wanted to see adopted best practices from other parts of the country where shows were already being held successfully.

I feel that the document before us for consideration today achieves these goals. You’ve done the work--you’ve consulted with Athletic Commissions from other states that have successful mixed martial arts circuits and have brought to bear here all the best elements of those programs. I have complete confidence that the rules you’ve proposed for adoption will protect the competitors, promoters, and Maine people that plan on attending these events. I’m grateful for the work you’ve done, honored to be associated with you, and urge quick adoption of these rules. Thank you.