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Lift the Ban Watch: Regulate South Dakota Immediately

This problem extends beyond South Dakota (there are four other states with the same affliction) - where the sport is not banned but also not regulated because there is no athletic commission - but this story is sufficiently worrisome:

While mixed martial arts isn't sanctioned in South Dakota, Ehresmann said that doesn't mean that the event won't follow professional guidelines. The city requires Ehresmann to hire six police officers to do security. Ehresmann said there will be separate areas where alcohol is served, there will be a doctor on hand during the event and there's also safety guidelines for fans and the fighters, many who are being brought in from out of town.

"I'm trying to reach out with some of the contacts I've made," said Ehresmann, who first got involved with the sport while he was living in San Diego. "I'm bringing in people who are elite athletes."

While interest in the sport is still growing throughout the area, Ehresmann said support is starting to come along. Saturday's event won't be a one-time thing, he said. He's planning other events for later in the year.

"We're starting to see more involvement in the community," he said. "If I want to be in Aberdeen the rest of my life, I want to see it grow."

So there will be security to control the crowd, but no pre-fight medical screenings? What about having a EMT and ambulance on location? Will that be there as well?

It's quite easy to dismiss the matter or even the larger problem of MMA in states where there is no athletic commission but also a very small populus. But the truth is there are some robust MMA scenes developing in many of these states, most notably Maine and Alabama. All that is required to upend this wonderful sport is one fight to make matters difficult. Certainly the UFC has built up some positivity equity in the media bank to prevent the collapse of the entire industry, but why welcome the hassle and negativity?

As for what can be done, the answer isn't so clear. I can speak out against allowing MMA to go unregulated, but the sun will rise tomorrow. Without coordinated campaigns among concerned parties or action by industry leaders like Ratner and his team at Zuffa, the best we can hope for at least in the short run is that we cross our fingers tight enough.

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In Arkansas (where I went to undergrad), there was a bar with the exact same criteria that you have itemized. We had a small square ring with ropes, and all you had to do was pass a breathalizer to fight.

Scary stuff.

by Heenan on Feb 18, 2009 10:39 AM EST reply actions  

I agree that this is important

just look at the statistics on deaths in MMA and what type of promotions in which those happened. Those are the statistics that are going to hurt MMA getting legalizes/regulated in states that hasn’t been able to penetrate so far, like NY (other than jackass politicians).

by Razreshat on Feb 18, 2009 11:10 AM EST reply actions  

i actually grew up in aberdeen south dakota which is where the article refers…i was in jr. high with this guy jason ershman and he wrestled with my brother…..kinda crazy i just read on the hometown papers website about this event…south dakota and this tri-state area(sd,ia,ne) have a ton of mma fights around here….

by baldspot23 on Feb 18, 2009 1:24 PM EST reply actions  

Alright… I know Mr. Ersh as well. I live in Rapid City, SD and they have a hell of a promotion growing out there called Ringwars, which has been running for 3 years, going on it’s 35th show. They have a show every month now days.

This article makes it seem like SD promoters arent structuring their shows very well, but some like Fury Fights(Brooking, SD) and The Cage Inc(Sioux Falls, SD) and Ringwars(Rapid City,SD) all have great promoters who run their shows very nicely. Yeah,it’s not banned in SD, but I think their should be some kind of Athletic commision because MMA in SD isn’t going anywhere and it will continue to grow.

by TAPuOUT2 on Feb 18, 2009 5:04 PM EST reply actions  

THE SHOW!!!!

I am the owner of SD TOTAL COMBAT.. to a few of you with your concerns, the paper didnt mention it but I will have EMT’s, On Hand Doctor, Pre Screen of the Fighters, this show is ran like a sanctioned state so before you go and assume you might want to know your facts. Some of us still want to put on as close as a professional show as we can….Even know our state is not Sanctioned….
Thank you

Jason
SD TOTAL COMBAT

by SD TOTAL COMBAT on Feb 18, 2009 6:33 PM EST reply actions  

Jason,

Thanks for writing us. But just to clarify, I assumed little and asked a question. It’s comforting to know you’ll have the proper resources on hand, but there is no legal obligation forcing your competitor to do so – and that’s scary. We know even though you may be doing the right thing, our concern is that there should be a legal framework making that compulsory as well as helping to properly execute the arrangements to make those laws work.

We wish you well on your next show. Keep us updated.

Luke

by Luke Thomas on Feb 18, 2009 8:07 PM EST up reply actions  

jason, awesome to see someone i grew up with involved in the sport and as a promoter no less…im jealous…now i wish i wasnt such a fat bastard…haha….good luck with the show and future shows…if i was closer to aberdeen i would come but live in yankton now

by baldspot23 on Feb 19, 2009 1:47 AM EST reply actions  

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