Mixed Martial Arts Bill Passes Senate

June 7, 2017

The Senate passed, by a vote of 27-9, in concurrence with the House, a bill to allow sanctioned mixed martial arts events in the state.

House Bill 6266, which now goes to the governor for signing, will establish regulations to allow Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sessions in the state of Connecticut lifting burdens on promoters and putting protections in place for competitors.

Currently Connecticut is the only state in which MMA matches are not being held at public arenas and not taking advantage of all the revenue from ticket sales from this extremely popular growing sport.

Revenue sources include city permit fees, parking fees, and additional Police, Fire and EMS services needed for these events. Local businesses will benefit from additional visitors these events bring to local restaurants, shops and hotels. This is good news for a city like Bridgeport, and for venues like Webster Bank Arena that is a great fit to offer these events.

The measure promotes professional boxing and MMA matches in the state by exempting such events from the admissions tax and eliminating a tax paid by promoters. It also requires promoters to provide insurance to competitors.