UFC paying to lobby against the Muhammad Ali Extension Act

What is the Muhammed Ali Boxing Reform Act you ask?

The Muhammed Ali Boxing Reform Act is a law that was enacted in 2000 to help protect the rights, fairness and financial welfare of boxers.

According to the FTC, “this Act, amending the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996, specifies that a sanctioning organization may not receive any compensation from a boxing match unless it files its bylaws and a complete description of its ratings criteria, policies, and general sanctioning fee schedule with the FTC. The Act further directs the FTC to make this information available to the public. A sanctioning organization does not have to submit this information to the FTC, however, if it makes the information accessible through a public website.”

Mixed martial arts fighters are not covered under the Muhammed Ali Boxing Reform Act, but people are trying to make a change with the Extension Act.

Via Bloody Elbow:

“H.R. 5365, the Muhammad Ali Extension Act, was introduced to congress last month by former MMA fighter Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and co-sponsored by Joseph Kennedy III (D-MA). It looks to expand those same protections to MMA fighters as well as other professional combat sports athletes.”

Bloody Elbow stated that they were informed through Legistorm.com that the UFC has hired D.C. firm Farragut partners to provide their services to lobby with congress on the promotion’s position on the bill.

With all big changes there are two sides, those in favor and opposing the Act. For a better understanding, Paul Gift and John Nash of Bloody Elbow dig a bit deeper with their explanation of what the Muhammad Ali Extension Act would change in mixed martial arts in the video above.

Video | Anderson Silva
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