Lift The Ban Watch: Massachusetts Edition

As previously reported, Sen. James Timilty (D) has been at the forefront of a push to legalize MMA in the state of Massachusetts. The Attleboro Sun Chronicle now has a piece up with more details on the 17-page state budget amendment which the Senator submitted in May, the main thrust of which is oversight of the sport by the state Executive Office of Public Safety overseeing the sport.

Some of his regulations would limit participation to people between the ages of 18 and 35, would require fighters, trainers, judges and referees to be licensed and would add people to the boxing commission who have knowledge of the sport.

So I guess when Randy vs. Fedor happens, it won't be in Boston. But regardless of the fine print, it'll be a proud day for this Masshole when I can attend the first ever UFC event at the New Garden. And Timilty seems confident that day will come soon:

Timilty said his amendment passed the Senate unanimously, so he believes the House might go along.

The only opposition he has encountered, he said, is from fans who think he wants to ban the sport.

Senate colleagues, however, have enjoyed razzing him over the issue.

He said Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, teased him, saying he was beating the issue to death.

Republicans got jokes!