The Superior council of audio-visual reflects on the possibility of diffusing soon, on French chains, the fights of MMA. MMA, acronym for "Mixed Martial Arts", understand Mixed Martial Arts, is a combat sport combining many disciplines, from judo to wrestling, including Thai boxing.
A questionnaire is thus open to potential broadcasters on the CSA website. They have until May 31 to specify what fights they plan to broadcast, and what they have planned to protect young spectators.
Until now the CSA recommended to the chains not to diffuse fights which would not meet certain requirements, like an adapted medical framing or doping controls. But its practice was legalized this winter by the Ministry of Sports and should begin this year on the territory, under the aegis of the French Boxing Federation.
A "very supervised" practice
The craze around MMA has exploded in recent years, especially on online video platforms. Today, RMC Sport has rights in France for the most prestigious league, the Ultimate fighting championship (UFC). Founded in the United States in 1993, this league organizes fights around the world.
On the occasion of the first MMA conference, held by videoconference on April 17, the French Boxing Federation had started its plan to structure the practice of MMA in France. The National Technical Officer in charge of MMA, Lionel Brezephin, had thus defined the first specificities of this practice, which he wanted to be "very supervised".
Like judo, seven grades from white to black - "expert" grade - will be introduced. The Federation also hopes to develop a practice with young people, also a university practice, in order to "create a real MMA community". The priority for the time being remains the training of educators, so that they best supervise the practice.
A first framework for competitions
If the regulations are not yet fully established, a first framework for competitions has already been established. Practitioners will be divided into four categories: the "professional" category for the more experienced, the "promotional" category, and the categories "class A amateurs" and "class B amateurs". The latter remaining the only one where strikes on the ground are prohibited. Professional status will be subject to a medical examination, technical validation and a certificate on the professional environment.
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PODCAST. MMA, what legalization will change
A limit of 5 to 6 fights per year is set for any fighter with promotional status. "We want to emphasize the safety of the practice by taking into account the age and level of each," said Lionel Brézéphin. The first licenses should be taken from next September, if the health situation linked to the coronavirus pandemic allows it.
