The state of Oklahoma has fast become a hotbed for mixed martial arts. With OU having one of the top wrestling programs in the country, many athletes have gone on to pursue a career in MMA after graduation.
Unfortunately, after March 31st of this year, combat sport competitions will come to a grinding halt in the state of Oklahoma. The state is under a threat of a lawsuit by none other than the UFC. It seems the UFC wants the state to drop a 4% pay-per-view tax imposed by the state, but without it... they will no longer have the funds necessary to regulate any boxing or MMA events held in Oklahoma.
Combat sports are a multi-million dollar industry in the state, and now it seems that mixed martial arts will be slipping back into the shadows indefinitely.
This move will effect nearly 200 events that happen each year across Oklahoma, and if the UFC and the state can't come to terms... promoters will have to take their business onto tribal grounds and casinos where they have their own regulations.
MMA Worldwide & TapouT Magazine will be following this story closely, and we will have more in-depth coverage in the next issue of TapouT Magazine. How witll this move effect promoters, fighters and MMA fans? We will answer those questions and more in the next issue. Stay tuned for details.
