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- NEW RULES & REGS FOR COMBAT SPORTS IN CALIFORNIA - MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more

Sunday, March 09, 2008 - by Mitch Gobetz - MMAWeekly.com

The California State Athletic Commission is looking to institute some new rules and procedures that will effect mixed martial arts fighters. There are two major changes to California's policies that will possibly have a profound impact on some of the sport’s athletes.

The first major change will be that any fighter that applies for or currently wants to renew their license in California will be required to submit a urine sample. Also, the fighter may be required to provide a urine sample before and after a bout, as directed by the commission's representative.

A positive test for any of the following will be a violation:
–Stimulants
–Narcotics
–Cannabinoids (marijuana)
–Anabolic agents (exogenous and endogenous)
–Peptide hormones
–Masking agents
–Diuretics
–Glucocorticosteroids
–Anti-estrogenic agents
–Alcohol

The second change, which could be the most important of the rules changes, is that the outcome of a bout would be able to be overturned by the Commission. If the winner of a bout tested positive for a banned substance immediately following the bout, the fight could then be ruled a no contest.

As if stands now, California does not have the authority to overturn decisions for positive testing. The most popular case recently has been former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk and his positive test for Nandrolone. If these new rules would have been in place prior to his positive test, his fight with Hermes Franca would likely have been ruled a no decision.

Another new procedure that will be put in place will be an adjustment to the appeals process. Under the new rules, the commission must set a hearing within 30 days of receipt of the request for an appeal. The hearing may not be longer than one hour and the time shall be split evenly between the commission and the fighter.

The new hearing procedure would be in accordance with the following guidelines:

(1) First—the staff representative and/or deputy attorney general , who shall be limited to twenty minutes.

(2) Second—the requester and/or his or her legal counsel, who shall be limited to twenty minutes.

(3) Third—the rebuttal of the staff representative and/or deputy attorney general, which shall be limited to ten minutes.

(4) Fourth—the rebuttal of the requester and/or his or her legal counsel, which shall be limited to ten minutes.

(d) The commission staff bears the burden of proving his or her case by a preponderance of the evidence.

(e) The commission shall serve the written decision on the parties not later than forty-five (45) calendar days after the matter has been submitted. The decision shall contain factual findings, legal conclusions, and an order describing the action taken by the commission at a duly noticed meeting.

(f) Unless good cause is shown, a request for hearing shall be deemed abandoned and the request dismissed if the party who appealed and requested a hearing fails to appear at a duly noticed meeting, unless the party demonstrates good cause for that failure to appear.

These and other miscellaneous changes to the current rules and regulations governing professional combat sports in California are currently undergoing a 45-day public comment period. The Commission will consider any comments or concerns received by or at a scheduled April 22 hearing, at which point the rules and regulations are eligible for adoption.

I think they are looking to get the heat off of them after the Sherk fiasco, but have also made the rules more strict, which I am OK with, if it keeps the sport pure....