Pennsylvania Legalizes Mixed Martial Arts Fighting

from msnbc.com

events -- like the popular

Ultimate Fighting Championshipare now legal in Pennsylvania and can be promoted in Pittsburgh.

Regulations much like those that already apply to boxing have been approved for MMA fights and will take effect on Friday, according to a news release from the State Athletic Commission. (

Read The Statement

)

(Pictured right: Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture for the UFC heavyweight title)

The state said it anticipates regulating as many as five MMA events per month, which may generate as much as $80,000 per year in revenue for the athletic commission.

Locally,

Josh Koscheck

is one of the most well-known MMA fighters from western Pennsylvania. Born in Waynesburg, he won the NCAA championship at 174 pounds as a wrestler at Edinboro University.

According to the new regulations, all professional and amateur MMA fighters in Pennsylvania must be licensed in the state and pass a physical examination by a state-approved doctor before they fight.

Insurance is required for fighters and referees, and an ambulance and emergency personnel must be at ringside during fights.

"These efforts will assure licensure and testing of participants for communicable diseases, as well as require emergency medical care and insurance for participants. Regulation of the sport also will help ensure that events are orderly and crowd control is maintained," Pedro Cortes, secretary of the commonwealth, said in a statement.

Other states that have legalized MMA fighting include New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, California, Nevada and Florida.

A full list of Pennsylvania regulations is posted on the

State Athletic Commission's Web site

. Here are some of the highlights:

All promoters must have a valid license from the commission ($100 per year) and must complete a criminal background check on a form supplied by the commission.

The ring must be at least 20 feet square and no larger than 32 feet square within the ropes. The ring floor must extend at least 18 inches beyond the ropes and must be padded with Ensolite, vinyl or similar closed-cell foam, with at least a one-inch layer of foam padding.

For cage events, the enclosed area must be circular or have at least six equal sides and be at least 20 feet wide and no larger than 32 feet wide. The floor must be padded with Ensolite, vinyl or similar closed-cell foam, with at least a one-inch layer of foam padding.