As was first reported by John Nash, the Mixed Martial Arts Fighter’s Association has approached Congressman (and former fighter) Markwayne Mullin to extend the protections professional boxers have been given through the Muhammad Ali Act to professional MMA.
The Oklahoma politician is prepared to take on the cause and has recently been vocal about his belief that the legislation should indeed be expanded to include professional MMA.
This week Luke Thomas interviewed Senator John McCain who also expressed support for this legislative change. With support gaining momentum the MMAFA’s goals come closer to reality.
For a balanced discussion addressing the reasons why some believe this reform is necessary and further why the proposed reform may not be the panacea some think it will be I recommend listening to this week’s episode of John McCarthy and Sean Wheelock’s ‘Let’s Get it On” Podcast which can be found here.
So what does the intended legislation look like? Representative Mullin himself admits he has not drafted the law. There are a few points worth noting –
- Amending the “Ali Act” is just a soundbite, it is not the legislation that would be amended. The Ali Act itself was an act amending the Professional Boxing Safety Act. Amending the Ali Act really means overhauling the PBSA to apply to professional MMA.
- Since the proposed Bill is yet undrafted either the PBSA will be overhauled with MMA being added or perhaps stand alone legislation can be created to address problems that have cropped up in MMA. Many of the sections of the PBSA can be adopted directly to MMA, some cannot.
- Since the legislation does not exist someone needs to draft it. Perhaps the MMAFA, perhaps Congressman Mullin or perhaps other stakeholders in the MMA community.
- Below is how the PBSA would look like if it applied to MMA. It is somewhat cumbersome and translates with some difficulty to MMA.
- Appreciating that the PBSA would not smoothly transition to MMA and given that the regulation of professional combative sports has evolved since the PBSA has passed stand-alone legislation addressing problems unique to the world of MMA may be a more sensible option.
- For an example of simple legislation aimed at fixing oppressive practices in MMA, I recommend a quick look at California’s failed attempt to overhaul oppressive contracts in the sport.
- I would appreciate comments from anyone prepared to critically think about this proposed legislation identifying those sections that would not be well suited for MMA and suggesting how, if at all, they can be modified to apply to the sport.
Reviewing this here are my observations applying the Act, section by section, to MMA. The sections crating meaningful change are outlined in bold.
- Section 2 – This simply prohibits professional MMA from being conducted in a state without an Athletic Commission. Seeing as how the sport is regulated in every State this provision is redundant but does no harm
- Section 3 – This section provides minimal medical and safety standards for the sport. These are less restrictive than those in place in many jurisdictions but again, there is no harm in legislation imposing these base standards on a national level
- Section 4 – This section will require professional MMA fighters to have ID cards. This is not currently required but is an accepted practice. This section will not create any meaningful change.
- Section 5 – This section mandates that State Athletic Commissions respect each others suspensions except in limited circumstances. This is in line with current practices.
- Section 6 – This section requires bout results to be reported to a national MMA registry, something that is presently done with Kirik Jenness of MixedMartialArts.com being the ABC’s recognized official record keeper.
- Section 7 – This section would require the ABC to recommend minimal protections in contracts however no State would be forced to adopt these guidelines. This is a toothless provision at best creating a regulatory suggestion.
- Section 8 – This section would create meaningful change. It prohibits coercive contracts for MMA and defines what these are. This section, on its face, would make many current MMA contracts prohibited as they often exceed 12 months and otherwise meet the definition of ‘coercive’ (ie – the UFC operates without cross promotion and it is a condition that a fighter sign with them to fight another UFC fighter.)
- Section 9 and 10 – These sections would again create meaningful change. They regulate sanctioning organizations which don’t really exist in MMA where titles are often controlled directly by promotions. These sections would need revision to make sense in the MMA landscape.
- Section 11 – This is perhaps one of the most significant changes. This would require all contracts between promoters and fighters to be disclosed to athletic commissions and further require promoters to disclose all compensation the promoter is making. In other words it would create a far more informed negotiating landscape.
- Section 12 – This section requires judges and referees to disclose all ‘consideration’ they are receiving for officiating. This would create little change to current practices.
- Section 13 – This section allows athletic commissions to keep information they are receive from prompters by virtue of the legislation confidential. This likely would not create any meaningful change to current practices.
- Section 14 – This section requires judges and referees to be licensed by State athletic commissions. This would create no change to current practices
- Section 15 – This is another meaningful section which creates a firewall between promoters and managers. This section would have to be redrafted with MMA in mind as it only applies to fighters in a match “of 10 rounds or more”. An MMA specific redrafting would be called for.
- Section 16 – Another meaningful section which imposes criminal and civil penalties for those who violate this legislation. More importantly it gives fighters the right to sue anyone who caused them ‘economic injury’ by violating the statute. A powerful tool that MMA fighters currently do not have.
- Section 17 – this section deals with bouts in jurisdictions without an Athletic Commission. It would create no meaningful change.
- Section 18 – This section would require studies into the health and safety of MMA. While perhaps insightful this section would create no change in the regulation of the sport.
- Section 19 – This section would prohibit “Indian Reservations” from hosting MMA events that have “health and safety standards” less strict than those of the State Commission in which place the event is taking place. This can have some impact on the sport as some tribal commissions have hosted elimination tournaments where they otherwise may not be allowed.
- Section 20 -This section allows States to create standards stricter than those called for in this legislation. This would have no impact on the present landscape of the sport.
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DEFINITIONS
(1) Mixed Martial Artist
The term “Mixed Martial Artist” means an individual who fights in a professional Mixed Martial Art match.
(2) athletic commission
(A)
[1] The term “athletic commission” means an entity authorized under State law to regulate professional Mixed Martial Arts matches.
(3)MMA registry
The term “MMA registry” means any entity certified by the Association of Boxing Commissions for the purposes of maintaining records and identification of Mixed Martial Artists.
(4)Licensee
The term “licensee” means an individual who serves as a trainer, second, or cut man for a Mixed Martial Artist.
(5)Manager
The term “manager” means a person who receives compensation for service as an agent or representative of a Mixed Martial Artist.
(6)Matchmaker
The term “matchmaker” means a person that proposes, selects, and arranges Mixed Martial Artists to participate in a professional Mixed Martial Arts match.
(7)Physician
The term “physician” means a doctor of medicine legally authorized to practice medicine by the State in which the physician performs such function or action.
(8)Professional Mixed Martial Arts match
The term “professional Mixed Martial Arts match” means a Mixed Martial Arts contest held in the United States between individuals for financial compensation. Such term does not include a Mixed Martial Arts contest that is regulated by an amateur sports organization.
(9)Promoter
The term “promoter” means the person primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, and producing a professional Mixed Martial Arts match. The term “promoter” does not include a hotel, casino, resort, or other commercial establishment hosting or sponsoring a professional Mixed Martial Arts match unless—
(A)
the hotel, casino, resort, or other commercial establishment is primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, and producing the match; and
(B)
there is no other person primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, and producing the match.
(10)State
The term “State” means each of the 50 States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and any territory or possession of the United States, including the Virgin Islands.
(11)Effective date of the contract
The term “effective date of the contract” means the day upon which a Mixed Martial Artist becomes legally bound by the contract.
(12)Mixed Martial Arts service provider
The term “Mixed Martial Arts service provider” means a promoter, manager, sanctioning body, licensee, or matchmaker.
(13)Contract provision
The term “contract provision” means any legal obligation between a Mixed Martial Artist and a Mixed Martial Arts service provider.
(14)Sanctioning organization
The term “sanctioning organization” means an organization that sanctions professional Mixed Martial Arts matches in the United States—
(A)
between Mixed Martial Artists who are residents of different States; or
(B)
that are advertised, otherwise promoted, or broadcast (including closed circuit television) in interstate commerce.
(15)Suspension
The term “suspension” includes within its meaning the revocation of a Mixed Martial Arts license.
SECTION 1 – PURPOSE
The purposes of this chapter are—
(1)
to improve and expand the system of safety precautions that protects the welfare of professional Mixed Martial Artists; and
(2)
to assist State athletic commissions to provide proper oversight for the professional Mixed Martial Arts industry in the United States.
SECTION 2 – MIXED MARTIAL ARTS MATCHES IN STATES WITHOUT ATHLETIC COMMISSIONS
(a)
No person may arrange, promote, organize, produce, or fight in a professional Mixed Martial Arts match held in a State that does not have an athletic commission unless the match is supervised by an athletic commission from another State and subject to the most recent version of the recommended regulatory guidelines certified and published by the Association of Boxing Commissions as well as any additional relevant professional Mixed Martial Arts regulations and requirements of such other State.
(b)For the purpose of this chapter, if no State commission is available to supervise a Mixed Martial Arts match according to subsection (a), then—
(1)
the match may not be held unless it is supervised by an association of boxing commissions to which at least a majority of the States belong; and
(2)
any reporting or other requirement relating to a supervising commission allowed under this section shall be deemed to refer to the entity described in paragraph (1).
SECTION 3 – SAFETY STANDARDS
No person may arrange, promote, organize, produce, or fight in a professional Mixed Martial Arts match without meeting each of the following requirements or an alternative requirement in effect under regulations of an athletic commission that provides equivalent protection of the health and safety of Mixed Martial Artists:
(1)
A physical examination of each Mixed Martial Artist by a physician certifying whether or not the fighter is physically fit to safely compete, copies of which must be provided to the athletic commission.
(2)
An ambulance or medical personnel with appropriate resuscitation equipment continuously present on site.
(3)
A physician continuously present at ringside.
(4)
Health insurance for each Mixed Martial Artist to provide medical coverage for any injuries sustained in the match.
SECTION 4 – REGISTRATION
(a)Requirements
Each Mixed Martial Artist shall register with—
(1)
the athletic commission of the State in which such Mixed Martial Artist resides; or
(2)
in the case of a Mixed Martial Artist who is a resident of a foreign country, or a State in which there is no athletic commission, the athletic commission of any State that has such a commission.
(b)Identification card
(1)Issuance
An athletic commission shall issue to each professional Mixed Martial Artist who registers in accordance with subsection (a), an identification card that contains each of the following:
(A)
A recent photograph of the Mixed Martial Artist.
(B)
The social security number of the Mixed Martial Artist (or, in the case of a foreign Mixed Martial Artist, any similar citizen identification number or professional Mixed Martial Artist number from the country of residence of the Mixed Martial Artist).
(C)
A personal identification number assigned to the Mixed Martial Artist.
(2)Renewal
Each professional Mixed Martial Artist shall renew his or her identification card at least once every 4 years.
(3)Presentation
Each professional Mixed Martial Artist shall present his or her identification card to the appropriate athletic commission not later than the time of the weigh-in for a professional Mixed Martial Arts match.
(c)Health and safety disclosures
It is the sense of the Congress that an athletic commission should, upon issuing an identification card to a Mixed Martial Artist under subsection (b)(1), make a health and safety disclosure to that Mixed Martial Artist as that commission considers appropriate. The health and safety disclosure should include the health and safety risks associated with fighting, and, in particular, the risk and frequency of brain injury and the advisability that a Mixed Martial Artist periodically undergo medical procedures designed to detect brain injury.
SECTION 5- REVIEW
(a)Procedures
Each athletic commission shall establish each of the following procedures:
(1)
Procedures to evaluate the professional records and physician’s certification of each Mixed Martial Artist participating in a professional Mixed Martial Arts match in the State, and to deny authorization for a Mixed Martial Artist to fight where appropriate.
(2)Procedures to ensure that, except as provided in subsection (b), no Mixed Martial Artist is permitted to fight while under suspension from any athletic commission due to—
(A)
a recent knockout or series of consecutive losses;
(B)
an injury, requirement for a medical procedure, or physician denial of certification;
(C)
failure of a drug test;
(D)
the use of false aliases, or falsifying, or attempting to falsify, official identification cards or documents; or
(E)
unsportsmanlike conduct or other inappropriate behavior inconsistent with generally accepted methods of competition in a professional Mixed Martial Arts match.
(3)
Procedures to review a suspension where appealed by a Mixed Martial Artist, licensee, manager, matchmaker, promoter, or other Mixed Martial Arts service provider, including an opportunity for a Mixed Martial Artist to present contradictory evidence.
(4)Procedures to revoke a suspension where a Mixed Martial Artist—
(A)
was suspended under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2) of this subsection, and has furnished further proof of a sufficiently improved medical or physical condition; or
(B)
furnishes proof under subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (2) that a suspension was not, or is no longer, merited by the facts.
(b)Suspension in another State
An athletic commission may allow a Mixed Martial Artist who is under suspension in any State to participate in a professional Mixed Martial Arts match—
(1)
for any reason other than those listed in subsection (a) if such commission notifies in writing and consults with the designated official of the suspending State’s athletic commission prior to the grant of approval for such individual to participate in that professional Mixed Martial Arts match; or
(2)
if the Mixed Martial Artist appeals to the Association of Boxing Commissions, and the Association of Boxing Commissions determines that the suspension of such Mixed Martial Artist was without sufficient grounds, for an improper purpose, or not related to the health and safety of the Mixed Martial Artist or the purposes of this chapter.
SECTION 6 – REPORTING
Not later than 48 business hours after the conclusion of a professional Mixed Martial Arts match, the supervising athletic commission shall report the results of such Mixed Martial Arts match and any related suspensions to each MMA registry.
SECTION 7 – CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS
Within 2 years after this legislation comes into force, the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) shall develop and shall approve by a vote of no less than a majority of its member State athletic commissioners, guidelines for minimum contractual provisions that should be included in bout agreements and Mixed Martial Arts contracts. It is the sense of the Congress that State athletic commissions should follow these ABC guidelines.
SECTION 8 – PROTECTION FROM COERCIVE CONTRACTS
(a)General rule
(1)
(A)
A contract provision shall be considered to be in restraint of trade, contrary to public policy, and unenforceable against any Mixed Martial Artist to the extent that it—
(i)
is a coercive provision described in subparagraph (B) and is for a period greater than 12 months; or
(ii)
is a coercive provision described in subparagraph (B) and the other Mixed Martial Artist under contract to the promoter came under that contract pursuant to a coercive provision described in subparagraph (B).
(B)
A coercive provision described in this subparagraph is a contract provision that grants any rights between a Mixed Martial Artist and a promoter, or between promoters with respect to a Mixed Martial Artist, if the Mixed Martial Artist is required to grant such rights, or a Mixed Martial Artist’s promoter is required to grant such rights with respect to a Mixed Martial Artist to another promoter, as a condition precedent to the Mixed Martial Artist’s participation in a professional Mixed Martial Arts match against another Mixed Martial Artist who is under contract to the promoter.
(2)
This subsection shall only apply to contracts entered into after this legislation comes into force.
(3)
No subsequent contract provision extending any rights or compensation covered in paragraph (1) shall be enforceable against a Mixed Martial Artist if the effective date of the contract containing such provision is earlier than 3 months before the expiration of the relevant time period set forth in paragraph (1).
(b)Promotional rights under mandatory bout contracts
No Mixed Martial Arts service provider may require a Mixed Martial Artist to grant any future promotional rights as a requirement of competing in a professional Mixed Martial Arts match that is a mandatory bout under the rules of a sanctioning organization.
(c)Protection from coercive contracts with broadcasters
Subsection (a) of this section applies to any contract between a commercial broadcaster and a Mixed Martial Artist, or granting any rights with respect to that Mixed Martial Artist, involving a broadcast in or affecting interstate commerce, regardless of the broadcast medium. For the purpose of this subsection, any reference in subsection (a)(1)(B) to “promoter” shall be considered a reference to “commercial broadcaster”.
SECTION 9 – SANCTIONING ORGANIZATIONS
(a)Objective criteria
Within 2 years of this legislation coming into force, the Association of Boxing Commissions shall develop and shall approve by a vote of no less than a majority of its member State athletic commissioners, guidelines for objective and consistent written criteria for the ratings of professional Mixed Martial Artists. It is the sense of the Congress that sanctioning bodies and State athletic commissions should follow these ABC guidelines.
(b)Appeals process
A sanctioning organization shall not be entitled to receive any compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with a Mixed Martial Arts match, until it provides the Mixed Martial Artists with notice that the sanctioning organization shall, within 7 days after receiving a request from a Mixed Martial Artist questioning that organization’s rating of the Mixed Martial Artist—
(1)
provide to the Mixed Martial Artist a written explanation of the organization’s criteria, its rating of the Mixed Martial Artist, and the rationale or basis for its rating (including a response to any specific questions submitted by the Mixed Martial Artist); and
(2)
submit a copy of its explanation to the Association of Boxing Commissions.
(c)Notification of change in rating
A sanctioning organization shall not be entitled to receive any compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with a Mixed Martial Arts match, until, with respect to a change in the rating of a Mixed Martial Artist previously rated by such organization in the top 10 Mixed Martial Artists, the organization—
1)
posts a copy, within 7 days of such change, on its Internet website or home page, if any, including an explanation of such change, for a period of not less than 30 days; and
(2)
provides a copy of the rating change and explanation to an association to which at least a majority of the State athletic commissions belong.
(d)Public disclosure
(1)Federal Trade Commission filing
A sanctioning organization shall not be entitled to receive any compensation directly or indirectly in connection with a Mixed Martial Arts match unless, not later than January 31 of each year, it submits to the Federal Trade Commission and to the ABC—
(A)
a complete description of the organization’s ratings criteria, policies, and general sanctioning fee schedule;
(B)
the bylaws of the organization;
(C)
the appeals procedure of the organization for a Mixed Martial Artist’s rating; and
(D)
a list and business address of the organization’s officials who vote on the ratings of Mixed Martial Artists.
(2)Format; updates
A sanctioning organization shall—
(A)
provide the information required under paragraph (1) in writing, and, for any document greater than 2 pages in length, also in electronic form; and
(B)
promptly notify the Federal Trade Commission of any material change in the information submitted.
(3)Federal Trade Commission to make information available to public
The Federal Trade Commission shall make information received under this subsection available to the public. The Commission may assess sanctioning organizations a fee to offset the costs it incurs in processing the information and making it available to the public.
(4)Internet alternative
In lieu of submitting the information required by paragraph (1) to the Federal Trade Commission, a sanctioning organization may provide the information to the public by maintaining a website on the Internet that—
(A)
is readily accessible by the general public using generally available search engines and does not require a password or payment of a fee for full access to all the information;
(B)
contains all the information required to be submitted to the Federal Trade Commission by paragraph (1) in an easy to search and use format; and
(C)
is updated whenever there is a material change in the information.
SECTION 10 – REQUIRED DISCLOSURES TO STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSIONS BY SANCTIONING ORGANIZATIONS
A sanctioning organization shall not be entitled to receive any compensation directly or indirectly in connection with a Mixed Martial Arts match until it provides to the athletic commission responsible for regulating the match in a State a statement of—
(1)
all charges, fees, and costs the organization will assess any Mixed Martial Artist participating in that match;
(2)
all payments, benefits, complimentary benefits, and fees the organization will receive for its affiliation with the event, from the promoter, host of the event, and all other sources; and
(3)
such additional information as the commission may require.
SECTION 11 – REQUIRED DISCLOSURES FOR PROMOTERS
(a)Disclosures to the athletic commissions
A promoter shall not be entitled to receive any compensation directly or indirectly in connection with a Mixed Martial Arts match until it provides to the athletic commission responsible for regulating the match in a State a statement of—
(1)
a copy of any agreement in writing to which the promoter is a party with any Mixed Martial Artist participating in the match;
(2)
a statement made under penalty of perjury that there are no other agreements, written or oral, between the promoter and the Mixed Martial Artist with respect to that match; and
(3)
(A)
all fees, charges, and expenses that will be assessed by or through the promoter on the Mixed Martial Artist pertaining to the event, including any portion of the Mixed Martial Artist’s purse that the promoter will receive, and training expenses;
(B)
all payments, gifts, or benefits the promoter is providing to any sanctioning organization affiliated with the event; and
(C)
any reduction in a Mixed Martial Artist’s purse contrary to a previous agreement between the promoter and the Mixed Martial Artist or a purse bid held for the event.
(b)Disclosures to the Mixed Martial Artist
A promoter shall not be entitled to receive any compensation directly or indirectly in connection with a Mixed Martial Arts match until it provides to the Mixed Martial Artist it promotes—
(1)
the amounts of any compensation or consideration that a promoter has contracted to receive from such match;
(2)
all fees, charges, and expenses that will be assessed by or through the promoter on the Mixed Martial Artist pertaining to the event, including any portion of the Mixed Martial Artist’s purse that the promoter will receive, and training expenses; and
(3)
any reduction in a Mixed Martial Artist’s purse contrary to a previous agreement between the promoter and the Mixed Martial Artist or a purse bid held for the event.
(c)Information to be available to State Attorney General
A promoter shall make information required to be disclosed under this section available to the chief law enforcement officer of the State in which the match is to be held upon request of such officer.
SECTION 12 – REQUIRED DISCLOSURES FOR JUDGES AND REFEREES
A judge or referee shall not be entitled to receive any compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with a Mixed Martial Arts match until it provides to the athletic commission responsible for regulating the match in a State a statement of all consideration, including reimbursement for expenses, that will be received from any source for participation in the match.
SECTION 13 – CONFIDENTIALITY
(a)In general
Neither an athletic commission or an Attorney General may disclose to the public any matter furnished by a promoter under section 6307e of this title except to the extent required in a legal, administrative, or judicial proceeding.
(b)Effect of contrary State law
If a State law governing an athletic commission requires that information that would be furnished by a promoter under section 6307e of this title shall be made public, then a promoter is not required to file such information with such State if the promoter files such information with the ABC.
SECTION 14 – JUDGES AND REFEREES
No person may arrange, promote, organize, produce, or fight in a professional Mixed Martial Arts match unless all referees and judges participating in the match have been certified and approved by the athletic commission responsible for regulating the match in the State where the match is held.
SECTION 15 – CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
(a)Regulatory personnel
No member or employee of an athletic commission, no person who administers or enforces State Mixed Martial Arts laws, and no member of the Association of Boxing Commissions may belong to, contract with, or receive any compensation from, any person who sanctions, arranges, or promotes professional Mixed Martial Arts matches or who otherwise has a financial interest in an active Mixed Martial Artist currently registered with an MMA registry. For purposes of this section, the term “compensation” does not include funds held in escrow for payment to another person in connection with a professional Mixed Martial Arts match. The prohibition set forth in this section shall not apply to any contract entered into, or any reasonable compensation received, by an atthletic commission to supervise a professional Mixed Martial Arts match in another State.
(b)Firewall between promoters and managers
(1)In general it is unlawful for—
(A)
a promoter to have a direct or indirect financial interest in the management of a Mixed Martial Artist; or
(B)a manager—
(i)
to have a direct or indirect financial interest in the promotion of a Mixed Martial Artist; or
(ii)
to be employed by or receive compensation or other benefits from a promoter, except for amounts received as consideration under the manager’s contract with the Mixed Martial Artist.
(2)Exceptions
Paragraph (1)—
(A)
does not prohibit a Mixed Martial Artist from acting as his own promoter or manager; and
(B)
only applies to Mixed Martial Artists participating in a Mixed Martial Arts match of 10 rounds or more.
(c)Sanctioning organizations
(1)Prohibition on receipts
Except as provided in paragraph (2), no officer or employee of a sanctioning organization may receive any compensation, gift, or benefit, directly or indirectly, from a promoter, Mixed Martial Artist, or manager.
(2)Exceptions
Paragraph (1) does not apply to—
(A)
the receipt of payment by a promoter, Mixed Martial Artist, or manager of a sanctioning organization’s published fee for sanctioning a professional Mixed Martial Arts match or reasonable expenses in connection therewith if the payment is reported to the responsible athletic commission; or
(B)
the receipt of a gift or benefit of de minimis value.
SECTION 16 – ENFORCEMENT
(a)Injunctions
Whenever the Attorney General of the United States has reasonable cause to believe that a person is engaged in a violation of this chapter, the Attorney General may bring a civil action in the appropriate district court of the United States requesting such relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order, against the person, as the Attorney General determines to be necessary to restrain the person from continuing to engage in, sanction, promote, or otherwise participate in a professional Mixed Martial Arts match in violation of this chapter.
(b)Criminal penalties
(1)Managers, promoters, matchmakers, and licensees
Any manager, promoter, matchmaker, and licensee who knowingly violates, or coerces or causes any other person to violate, any provision of this chapter, other than section 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 14 of this title, shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned for not more than 1 year or fined not more than $20,000, or both.
(2)Violation of antiexploitation, sanctioning organization, or disclosure provisions
Any person who knowingly violates any provision of section 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 14 of this title shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned for not more than 1 year or fined not more than—
(A)
$100,000; and
(B)
if a violation occurs in connection with a professional Mixed Martial Arts match the gross revenues for which exceed $2,000,000, an additional amount which bears the same ratio to $100,000 as the amount of such revenues compared to $2,000,000, or both.
(3)Conflict of interest
Any member or employee of an athletic commission, any person who administers or enforces State Mixed Martial Arts laws, and any member of the Association of Boxing Commissions who knowingly violates Section 15(a) of this title shall, upon conviction, be imprisoned for not more than 1 year or fined not more than $20,000, or both.
(4)Mixed Martial Artists
Any Mixed Martial Artist who knowingly violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $1,000.
(c)Actions by States
Whenever the chief law enforcement officer of any State has reason to believe that a person or organization is engaging in practices which violate any requirement of this chapter, the State, as parens patriae, may bring a civil action on behalf of its residents in an appropriate district court of the United States—
(1)
to enjoin the holding of any professional Mixed Martial Arts match which the practice involves;
(2)
to enforce compliance with this chapter;
(3)
to obtain the fines provided under subsection (b) or appropriate restitution; or
(4)
to obtain such other relief as the court may deem appropriate.
(d)Private right of action
Any Mixed Martial Artist who suffers economic injury as a result of a violation of any provision of this chapter may bring an action in the appropriate Federal or State court and recover the damages suffered, court costs, and reasonable attorneys fees and expenses.
(e)Enforcement against Federal Trade Commission, State Attorneys General, etc.
Nothing in this chapter authorizes the enforcement of—
(1)
any provision of this chapter against the Federal Trade Commission, the United States Attorney General, or the chief legal officer of any State for acting or failing to act in an official capacity;
(2)
subsection (d) of this section against a State or political subdivision of a State, or any agency or instrumentality thereof; or
(3)
Section 8 of this title against a Mixed Martial Artist acting in his capacity as a Mixed Martial Artist.
SECTION 17 – NOTIFICATION OF SUPERVISING ATHLETIC COMMISSION
Each promoter who intends to hold a professional Mixed Martial Arts match in a State that does not have an athletic commission shall, not later than 14 days before the intended date of that match, provide written notification to the supervising boxing commission designated under section 2 of this title. Such notification shall contain each of the following:
(1)
Assurances that, with respect to that professional Mixed Martial Arts match, all applicable requirements of this chapter will be met.
(2)The name of any person who, at the time of the submission of the notification—
(A)
is under suspension from an athletic commission; and
(B)
will be involved in organizing or participating in the event.
(3)
For any individual listed under paragraph (2), the identity of the athletic commission that issued the suspension described in paragraph (2)(A).
SECTION 18 – STUDIES
(a)Pension
The Secretary of Labor shall conduct a study on the feasibility and cost of a national pension system for Mixed Martial Artists, including potential funding sources.
(b)Health, safety, and equipment
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall conduct a study to develop recommendations for health, safety, and equipment standards for Mixed Martial Artists and for professional Mixed Martial Arts matches.
(c)Reports
Not later than one year after this legislation comes into force, the Secretary of Labor shall submit a report to the Congress on the findings of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a). Not later than 180 days after this legislation comes into force, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit a report to the Congress on the findings of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (b).
SECTION 19 – PROFESSIONAL MIXED MARTIAL ARTS MATCHES CONDUCTED ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS
(a)Definitions
For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1)Indian tribe
The term “Indian tribe” has the same meaning as in section 450b(e) of title 25.
(2)Reservation
The term “reservation” means the geographically defined area over which a tribal organization exercises governmental jurisdiction.
(3)Tribal organization
The term “tribal organization” has the same meaning as in section 450b(l) of title 25.
(b)Requirements
(1)In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a tribal organization of an Indian tribe may, upon the initiative of the tribal organization—
(A)
regulate professional Mixed Martial Arts matches held within the reservation under the jurisdiction of that tribal organization; and
(B)
carry out that regulation or enter into a contract with a Mixed Martial Arts commission to carry out that regulation.
(2)Standards and licensing
If a tribal organization regulates professional Mixed Martial Arts matches pursuant to paragraph (1), the tribal organization shall, by tribal ordinance or resolution, establish and provide for the implementation of health and safety standards, licensing requirements, and other requirements relating to the conduct of professional Mixed Martial Arts matches that are at least as restrictive as—
(A)
the otherwise applicable standards and requirements of a State in which the reservation is located; or
(B)
the most recently published version of the recommended regulatory guidelines certified and published by the Association of Boxing Commissions.
SECTION 20 – RELATIONSHIP WITH STATE LAW
Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a State from adopting or enforcing supplemental or more stringent laws or regulations not inconsistent with this chapter, or criminal, civil, or administrative fines for violations of such laws or regulations.
Combat Sports Law 
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