The next time an athlete chooses to fight professionally as a mixed martial arts fighter, they could have more freedom than ever before.
On Monday, the California State Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media passed — by a 5-3 vote — AB 2100 to protect California MMA fighters from exploitative business practices.
The bill, which was introduced by District 28 Assembly member Luis Alejo, aims to protect fighters from “exploitative, oppressive and coercive practices,” according to a press release from the state assembly.
The bill includes protecting fighters from relinquishing all rights to their identities, pressuring athletes into signing contracts that ban them from other events, restricting athletes’ ability to negotiate for higher pay and restricting sponsorships.
“Tragically, many athletes who compete professionally in mixed martial arts in California are subjected to pervasive exploitation by some fight promoters,” Alejo said at the meeting Monday. “These fight promoters exploit the dreams of young fighters by promising lucrative careers. But once these fighters enter the business, they are required to surrender many of their rights. As a result, these talented athletes are often unable to make enough money to support themselves and their families in the sport they love.”
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Frank Shamrock, Maximum Fighting Championship fighter Antonio McKee and former UFC fighter Christian Wellisch testified in front of the committee.
The bill will be heard in the Assembly Committee in May, according to the release.
