Toughman banned in Texas

[Britt]

On September 1, the new law in the Texas Occupation Code regarding combative sports went onto effect. Here's a story:

http://www.license.state.tx.us/PressReleases/sb796051005.htm

Much of the new law was designed to make Texas more attractive and competetive when it comes to bringing in big name fights, some was meant to clear up how MMA is regulated, and some was designed to increase competitor safety, namely, requiring ring doctors at all fights and banning elimination style matches like Toughman contests. Apparently there were a couple of deaths in the ring in Texas Toughman competitions pretty close together.

I can see the argument; my trainer won't allow anyone to keep sparring for the day once they get their bell rung, saying that most people can take one shot to the head, but once you start piling them on, that's when hemorrhaging becomes a problem. That's what makes elimination fights like K1 and Toughman so potentially dangerous-you can get KO'd but your opponent breaks his hand, so you advance anyway. On the other hand, multiple beanings can occur in any fight, so if a ring doctor is required anyway, maybe Toughman fights are just being scapegoated. Thoughts?

[eXcessiveForce]

The problem with tough man contests is people who have no business being in a ring enter and this greatly increases the chance for damage.

A boxer has learned to cover up and how to take a punch but many of these people in toughman are just local guys. When the encounter a very good fighter is is little more than feeding a mouse to a snake.

[TerryV]

I fought in 9 tough man contest throughout the south and only 1 time ever saw a real doctor that was there and this one happen to be drunk. Most of the time that just use medics.

To many people see a toughman contest coming to their town and think, "Hey I kicked Freds ass the other night at the Full Moon Solon, I can do this"

Once I saw a 380+ pound guy knock his self out, the bell rang he rang across the ring and threw big right hand and miss, but the punch kept going and he hit the canvas. He broke his arm on impact and his ankle, no punches landed and the other guy won by tko.

Another thing that a lot of these guys don’t realize that once they enter a toughman contest they can never fight in a ABF bought, they lose their Amateur standing and are now considered pro for what that’s worth.

[Tom Yum]

To many people see a toughman contest coming to their town and think, "Hey I kicked Freds ass the other night at the Full Moon Solon, I can do this" .

It depends what town you are talking about. Some of the fights are pretty good in the bigger cities......



.....for guys that are somewhat trained in boxing.

Another thing that a lot of these guys don’t realize that once they enter a toughman contest they can never fight in a ABF bought, they lose their Amateur standing and are now considered pro for what that’s worth.

That sucks.

[Thai Bri]

Once I saw a 380+ pound guy knock his self out, the bell rang he rang across the ring and threw big right hand and miss, but the punch kept going and he hit the canvas. He broke his arm on impact and his ankle, no punches landed and the other guy won by tko.

I would have paid gooooood money to see that! Haw haw haw!

[joshualeleux]

untill i read this i never knew that thoughman was banned. well i am just some ammiture from the street and have never been any kind of regulated sport fighting. i dont really know of any well known gyms in my area or even how to get started in mma fighting if any one knows how to start from the ground up i would gladly take any advise from someone who knows how to get started