sambosteve
10/18/2008 8:19pm,
http://www.military.com/news/article/corps-gives-fed-cover-to-illegal-bout.html?col=1186032310810
Corps Gives Fed Cover to Illegal Bout
October 17, 2008
The Beaufort Gazette
A mixed martial arts competition this weekend at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island will give event promoters a chance to showcase their sport and legally hold their event in South Carolina.
By holding the event on federal property, promoters are exempt from a state law that prohibits MMA events.
International Championship Fighting, a Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts entertainment company, will hold its first event in the Palmetto State on Saturday night at Parris Island's All Weather Training Facility.
"Since we're having it on base, we're federally regulated and not subject to those laws, so it's like killing two birds with one stone," said Rico White, ICF president and CEO. "We want to show everyone that we put on a good presentation and handle ourselves with professionalism."
South Carolina outlawed mixed martial arts in 2003 and prohibits the S.C. State Athletic Commission from issuing permits to promoters or athletes to participate in mixed martial arts competitions similar to those given to those promoting boxing and kickboxing matches. There is no such federal ban.
The event features a card of four professional and amateur bouts and is a chance for the company to reach the military, a market the company sought to target at the behest of a fighter.
"When Larry Landrey came to try out for us in California, he suggested that we try to go after the military," White said. "I'm former Air Force, and we thought, what better place to do this than to have it at the place where it all began -- Parris Island? So we started to go through all of the appropriate channels and got all the contracts ironed out. We're so, so excited about this event.
"We really feel like we've got a niche market carved out here."
Landrey will fight for the 145-pound open title Saturday night against Shah Bobonis of Tampa, Fla.
White said his company's event is designed to honor America's servicemen and women.
"One of the missions of our company is to give back to the community, and the troops are such an important part of the community," he said. "This event isn't about egos or anything like that; it's legitimately about giving back."
The fights are co-sponsored by Marine Corps Community Services of South Carolina. The group's event coordinator could not be reached for comment.
The event Saturday night is one of seven the company has produced this year, with similar fights in New Jersey, North Carolina, California, Michigan, Indiana and Louisiana.
The company's Web site promised upcoming fights at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Hill, N.C., as well as ArmyFort Jackson in Columbia.
Ticket prices for Saturday night's fights are $20 for general seating, and VIP table-side seating is available ringside for $600 per table. Tickets are available online at http://mccs-sc.com.
© Copyright 2008 The Beaufort Gazette. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Corps Gives Fed Cover to Illegal Bout
October 17, 2008
The Beaufort Gazette
A mixed martial arts competition this weekend at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island will give event promoters a chance to showcase their sport and legally hold their event in South Carolina.
By holding the event on federal property, promoters are exempt from a state law that prohibits MMA events.
International Championship Fighting, a Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts entertainment company, will hold its first event in the Palmetto State on Saturday night at Parris Island's All Weather Training Facility.
"Since we're having it on base, we're federally regulated and not subject to those laws, so it's like killing two birds with one stone," said Rico White, ICF president and CEO. "We want to show everyone that we put on a good presentation and handle ourselves with professionalism."
South Carolina outlawed mixed martial arts in 2003 and prohibits the S.C. State Athletic Commission from issuing permits to promoters or athletes to participate in mixed martial arts competitions similar to those given to those promoting boxing and kickboxing matches. There is no such federal ban.
The event features a card of four professional and amateur bouts and is a chance for the company to reach the military, a market the company sought to target at the behest of a fighter.
"When Larry Landrey came to try out for us in California, he suggested that we try to go after the military," White said. "I'm former Air Force, and we thought, what better place to do this than to have it at the place where it all began -- Parris Island? So we started to go through all of the appropriate channels and got all the contracts ironed out. We're so, so excited about this event.
"We really feel like we've got a niche market carved out here."
Landrey will fight for the 145-pound open title Saturday night against Shah Bobonis of Tampa, Fla.
White said his company's event is designed to honor America's servicemen and women.
"One of the missions of our company is to give back to the community, and the troops are such an important part of the community," he said. "This event isn't about egos or anything like that; it's legitimately about giving back."
The fights are co-sponsored by Marine Corps Community Services of South Carolina. The group's event coordinator could not be reached for comment.
The event Saturday night is one of seven the company has produced this year, with similar fights in New Jersey, North Carolina, California, Michigan, Indiana and Louisiana.
The company's Web site promised upcoming fights at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Hill, N.C., as well as ArmyFort Jackson in Columbia.
Ticket prices for Saturday night's fights are $20 for general seating, and VIP table-side seating is available ringside for $600 per table. Tickets are available online at http://mccs-sc.com.
© Copyright 2008 The Beaufort Gazette. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.