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<br />Mixed martial arts have become increasingly popular in many states during the past several years. <br />Advocates for mixed martial arts have asserted that it is much safer than boxing, and that opinion <br />appears to have some support. They have also asserted that it is safer than other non-combat sports such <br />as football; that conclusion is impossible to document, because of the lack of comparative statistics <br />concerning the elative participation in the two activities. The statistic that only one person has died as a <br />result of a mixed martial arts event in seventy years has been repeated in several articles, but again that <br />is difficult to verify. <br /> <br />Staff to the Oregon Boxing and Wrestling Commission report that they plan to work with the Legislature <br />to amend the State statutes governing boxing and wrestling to regulate amateur mixed martial arts. If <br />passed, it is possible that the bill would pre-empt local regulation <br /> <br /> <br />RELATED CITY POLICIES <br />Not applicable. <br /> <br /> <br />COUNCIL OPTIONS <br /> <br />The council has the following options: <br />1. Direct the City Manager to place the ordinance on a future City Council agenda for action. <br />2. Direct the City Manager to modify the draft ordinance as follows: [specify changes for staff to <br />make]. <br />3. Direct the City Manager to conduct further investigation of regulation of mixed martial arts and to <br />schedule another public hearing on the modified ordinance. <br />4. Direct the City Manager to monitor legislative proposals to regulate amateur mixed martial arts at <br />the state level and report to the council at the end of the legislative session. <br />5. Decide not to ban or regulate cage fighting, and take no further action. <br /> <br /> <br />CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION <br />The City Manager has no recommendation on this matter. <br /> <br /> <br />SUGGESTED MOTION <br />No motion is suggested. <br /> <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS <br /> <br />A. Proposed Ordinance <br />B. Nevada Athletic Commission regulations on mixed martial arts <br /> <br /> <br />FOR MORE INFORMATION <br /> <br />Staff Contact: Jerry Lidz <br />Telephone: 682-5080 <br />Staff E-Mail: jerome.lidz@harrang.com <br /> L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M061127\S061127C.doc <br />