Bill would expand Athletic Commission authority to regulate Muay Thai, bare-knuckle MMA, slap fighting and 'MMA on Ice'

Sen. Ben Hansen (pronounced Ben Hansen) introduced LB 635 and an amendment adding Muay Thai; the measure would authorize the Nebraska Athletic Commission to regulate a set of emerging combat sports, including professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts (MMA), amateur kickboxing, slap fighting, Muay Thai (professional and amateur), and “MMA on Ice.”

Hansen and proponents said the Athletic Commission already regulates combat sports and that explicit statutory authorization removes legal ambiguity, allows promoters to operate openly, and brings safety standards, licensing, medical checks and matchmaking oversight to events that can draw substantial crowds. Proponents described existing local participation in the sports, the presence of training gyms, and past events (for example, bare-knuckle events held at Ralston Arena) that generated ticket sales and local economic activity.

Multiple trainers, promoters and competitors testified for regulation: Henry Emmes, a matchmaker for Dynasty Combat Sports, described professional and amateur events staged in Omaha after the 2021 bare-knuckle statute and said local fighters have progressed to national and international cards. Andrew Summers and other coaches said sanctioned events help keep athletes engaged, give competitors an opportunity to perform at home and attract tourism. Tim Sereta and other Muay Thai proponents described safety classes, graduated amateur classifications (headgear and shin guards for beginners) and an organized sanctioning association that trains officials.

Proponents and the sponsor emphasized safety protocols that would follow Athletic Commission standards: licensed physicians on site, bloodwork and physicals, event suspensions for knockouts or concussions, medical clearance requirements to resume competition and insurance coverage for fighters. Testimony referenced medical suspensions and out-of-state reciprocity: states maintain registries so a fighter suspended in one jurisdiction cannot immediately fight in another without clearance.

Committee questions explored how individual sports are conducted (for example, MMA on Ice is contested on skates, in hockey gear with padded MMA gloves and two-minute rounds) and whether youth participation and amateur standards require separate handling; the sponsor and witnesses said the Athletic Commission’s regulations and existing sanctioning bodies would address matching, protective equipment and medical oversight. Witnesses said many events use licensed referees, judges, EMTs and orthopedists or trauma surgeons on call.

The sponsor closed by stressing opportunities for local athletes and businesses and by pointing to related legislation that legalized bare-knuckle contests in recent years; proponents said sanctioning makes the sport safer and opens local markets. The committee heard proponent testimony and closed the hearing; no opponent testimony was recorded.