HARRISBURG — Coming soon: a mixed martial arts fight near you.The State Athletic Commission has sanctioned the bouts, sometimes called "extreme fighting," which mix kickboxing, boxing, wrestling and martial arts. They're featured on Spike TV through the Ultimate Fighting Championship series.
Rules governing the sport take effect Friday, lifting a ban on such contests in Pennsylvania.
Drawing from a base of older boxing fans and a younger generation that grew up after boxing's heyday, such fights might surpass pugilism's popularity, said Joe Pritzi, 31, of Mt. Washington.
"This type of fighting shows a range of ability," said Pritzi, a black belt in tae kwan do.
"Once they approve the regulations, you'll probably see promoters coming out of the woodwork," predicted Karen Latta, who manages fighters at a Montgomery County academy.
Pennsylvania joins a growing number of states that permit mixed martial arts, including Nevada, New Jersey, Maryland, California, Florida and Ohio.
The State Athletic Commission expects four to five events a month.
Greg Sirb, the commission's executive director, said the fights can be held in small and large arenas. He expects facilities such as Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh and Bryce Jordan Center in State College to stage them.
Fighters typically square off in octagon-shaped cages. Winners knock out opponents, or gain a submission where the opponent concedes by "tapping out." Referees sometimes call bouts because fighters are too battered to continue.
Fighters wear light gloves but no headgear or shin guards in professional contests. In amateur bouts, they must wear shin guards, under the regulations, Sirb said.
Shows can mix amateur and pro bouts, but each show must have two pro bouts on the card, Sirb said.
Gov. Ed Rendell is ready to fight in the octagon, his spokesman quipped Monday.
"After six years of rough-and-tumble politics in Harrisburg, we believe (he) may be the most qualified to fight for the championship in this extreme sport," said Chuck Ardo, the governor's press secretary.
Santino Achille, owner of Steel City Martial Arts in Castle Shannon, said Pennsylvania's approval of the sport is exciting.
"I don't think there's a sport in the world that's growing faster," he said.
In the televised sport's early days, people would boo if combatants grappled on the ground longer than 30 seconds, as Achille's students learn to do.
"Now, when somebody changes on the ground, improves their position, they cheer," Achille said. "It's a very educated crowd."
Source: pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib
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