BOXING & MIXED MARTIAL ARTS - PETE SUAZO UTAH ATHLETIC COMMISSION

BOXING AND MIXED MARTIAL ARTS “FINDS A WAY” THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND INTO THE FUTURE

The Utah Professional Athletic Commission Act was passed by the Legislature in July 2001, granting authority to the commission to regulate “unarmed combat sports” in the Beehive State. This law requires licensing of promoters, managers, contestants, seconds referees, and judges for boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts. The commission is named in honor of Utah State Senator Eliud “Pete” Suazo, an advocate for youth and minorities and a boxing enthusiast.

Boxing History in Utah

Utah native “The Cyclone” Gene Fullmer defeated champion boxer Sugar Ray Robinson by unanimous decision in January 1957 to capture the National Boxing Association world middleweight title. His brother, Doug Fullmer, followed him into the sport. Doug fought as an amateur for four years and went on a 65-match winning streak. The spirit of the “Fighting Fullmers” lives on at their gym in West Jordan, which has sent many boxers to the USA Boxing National Championships in recent years.

Mixed Martial Arts — The Fastest Growing Sport Worldwide

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) made its debut the U.S. as a fringe sporting spectacle with the Ultimate Fighting Championships, held on November 12, 1993 in Colorado. Since then, the sport has grown into an international phenomenon. In 2016, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), an MMA promotion company based in Las Vegas, sold for an unprecedented $4 billion. MMA now accounts for 85% of Utah’s live unarmed combat sports events.

The mission of the Pete Suazo Utah Athletic Commision is to provide a safe and healthy environment for athletes to compete in unarmed combat sports.

Struggles To Compete in the Age of COVID-19

COVID-19 prompted cancellations of unarmed combat sports events around the world, leaving contestants, promoters, venues, and fans hungry for their favorite sports. The industry in Utah was hit just as hard as the rest of the world. But with struggle comes innovation.

Late in 2020, many Utahns came together to formulate a way to keep the fight community safe during the ongoing pandemic. The first step was to find adequate and affordable testing for the fighters and coaches to help limit the spread of the virus. Next, a BYU graduate, who was also a fighter himself, developed a software solution that let promoters stream events cost-effectively via social media and through event websites.

Despite its direct contradiction to all previous business models in the industry, promoters adopted the motto of “Stay Home & Stay Safe.” Later, as the threat subsided, fans began to return with limited capacity, social distancing, and masks. Eventually, unarmed combat sports events returned to near pre-pandemic standards.

No live events for nearly a year took a toll on promotions, which have only now started to recover. And some changes adopted during the worst of the pandemic have become permanent. For example, internet streaming for most promotions is here to stay. It allows friends and family members from around the globe to participate in these young athletes’ fledgling careers. Promoters now have an innovative way to build their brand, generate income and stay solvent in uncertain times.

Today, testing continues, internet streaming has become the norm, and the fight world continues to grow in Utah.