LANSING, MI (AP)-- Amateur unarmed fighting contests would be regulated in Michigan under two bills moving through the state Legislature.
The bills were approved nearly unanimously in the House Thursday. The legislation would create regulations for mixed martial arts contests where amateurs have unarmed fights. It would also make it a felony to allow a professional to participate in an amateur mixed martial arts contest.
Representative Harvey Santana, a Democrat from Detroit and sponsor of the bills, said the regulations are needed to ensure safety.
The bills now go to the Senate for consideration.
Similar legislation has been introduced in two previous sessions but failed each time to win approval in both chambers.
Santana said the legislation has the support of the administration this time, which it did not have last session.