Senator Timilty gets it!

Senator Timilty is right-on about this...while D'Amico fights Hollywood!

Touting the creation of new jobs and spending on hotels and restaurants, the Senate voted unanimously Tuesday afternoon to begin state regulation of mixed martial arts events. The bill passed 35-0 after a state senator from Walpole urged his colleagues to pass the bill and attract so-called ultimate fighting bouts. "This is a good thing for the Commonwealth," said bill sponsor Sen. James Timilty, noting the potential for new state revenues without raising taxes. "It is much safer than the sport of boxing," Timilty said, noting only 6 percent of mixed martial arts fights end in knockouts.

Timilty acknowledged the changing times during floor remarks, noting he grew up following Brockton boxing champ Marvin Hagler while many of today's fight fans are following Kenny Florian, a Boston College grad who has excelled in mixed martial arts competitions. Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth) also urged passage of the bill.

Before adopting the bill, the Senate agreed to a Sen. Marc Pacheco amendment allowing cities and towns, by local option, to choose not to host mixed martial arts events. The bill clarifies that promoters, physicians, referees, judges and contestants must be licensed by the State Boxing Commission and directs the commission to establish minimum skill requirements for licensure of contestants.

The bill also expands the commission from three to five members, increases the amount of accident insurance event holders must acquire for each contestant ($5,000 for medical expenses and $50,000 in case of death). It establishes a 4 percent fee on ticket sales and a 2 percent fee on revenues from TV, pay-per-view and other broadcast rights, to be paid to the commission. The bill also limits mixed martial arts matches to five rounds, except for championship matches. Rounds may last no longer than five minutes and the gloves worn by competitors must weigh at least four ounces, according to a bill summary.