Politics & Government
General Assembly Backs Mixed Martial Arts Competitions
Senate approves lifting a ban on the last day of the session, but the governor hasn't stated a position on the bill.
By Susan Schoenberger
Competitions in mixed martial arts — a contact sport that allows striking, kicking, and grappling — haven't been legal in Connecticut except in the casinos. That may end soon.
The increasingly popular sport got some backing from the state Senate on the last day of the legislative session with a 26-9 vote to lift the ban, according to the Associated Press. The House had passed the measure in May.
The governor has not indicated how he feels about the bill. But if he signs it, Connecticut will join 48 other states in allowing the competitions, The Hartford Courant reported Thursday. New York would be the only state that still has a ban.
While some state senators — including Sen. Beth Bye, D-5th District — decried the violence associated with mixed martial arts, others told the Courant it would benefit the economy.
"This is a good business bill,'' Sen. Andres Ayala Jr., D-Bridgeport, said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
