Restrictions could KO cage fighting

By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle is exercising its right to regulate mixed martial arts events in the city.
Following an opinion by the state Attorney General that cleared the way for the city to place restrictions on the activity, the City Council has adopted an ordinance aimed at mixed martial arts events, including cage fighting.
The new ordinance requires all mixed martial arts participants to be 19 or 18 if they have written parental permission. It also requires promoters of these events to have a general liability insurance policy with coverage of $1 million per participant, as well as an additional $2 million worth of coverage for the promoter.
Promoters are required to purchase a business license.
All participants in any mixed marital arts event will have to receive medical clearance before and after their fight.
Promoters will be required to have a paramedic and an emergency medical technician stationed next to the combat area and an ambulance at the location. Promoters will also be required to give notice to the local emergency room before an event and will be required to pay for an off-duty police officer to be on the premise.
The regulations don't apply to amateur or professional boxing or wrestling. Mixed martial arts classes are also exempt.
The mixed martial arts regulations come on the heels of a squirmish between city leaders and Robert Clairday, who operates Clariday's Boxing and Sports Center and also held cage fighting matches in the city. Clariday said the restrictions prompted him to move his business and his matches outside the city.