On June 25, the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission approved the rules and regulations for professional and amateur Mixed Martial Arts in the state.
That, it seems, was the easy part. Now, there is a long regulatory process where politicians and lawyers, (and maybe political lawyers and lawyering politicians) get to look at it and ask questions.
Earlier today, I spoke with Greg Sirb, director of the state athletic commission, who said that the rules/regs were with the Department of State's lawyers.
"We just want to make sure we have the right rules for pro and amateur levels," he said. "Unfortunately, the regulatory process in Pennsylvania does take a while."
Several months ago, Sirb estimated that the sport might be approved by early 2008. Yesterday, he pushed that estimate back to March 2008.
Martha Brown, an attorney for the Department of State, who acts as counsel for the state athletic commission, said she is preparing the rules/regs so they can be sent out to various committees and commissions.
Eventually, the rules/regs will make their way to the Independent Regualtory Review Commission and the State and House state government committees. When that happens, the rules/regs will be published in something called the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Their Web site can be accessed here.
After a 30-day period of public comment - where people can appear in front of the commissions or send their comments, possibly e-mail or snail mail - the legilature will then vote on the rules/regs.
So, we've got a ways to go. I know there are a lot of people out there - fighters, promoters, fans - waiting for the day when we can have MMA in Pa. It'll happen some day, and I'll keep you posted all the way (sorry for the rhyming, that was pretty lame).
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