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Issues Sanctions and Fines in Unlicensed Unarmed Combat, Amateur Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Fights
Media Contact: LARA Communications 517-373-9280
Email: mediainfo@michigan.gov
January 10, 2017 - The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau (CSCL) permanently revoked the professional promoter’s license of Amateur Fighting Club, Aron Anglebrandt, owner/manager, of Kimball, Michigan and issued a $15,000 fine.
This action follows a summary suspension issued in June 2016 against Amateur Fighting Club ordering it to cease and desist from any and all activity requiring a professional promoter’s license. An investigation of Amateur Fighting Club by CSCL disclosed violations of the Michigan Unarmed Combat Regulatory Act. The violations included conducting unapproved amateur mixed martial arts contests; allowing contestants to compete without proper licensure; allowing contestants to compete without the proper medical clearance; allowing contestants to compete without submitting the results of required medical tests; aiding and abetting an amateur mixed martial artist to act as a contestant without a license; aiding and abetting a referee to act as a referee without a license; failing to ensure that an inspector and a trained, licensed referee were present during the entire event; failing to ensure that there were three licensed judges present to evaluate all bouts; failing to report the results of each contest to CSCL, including any physician recommendations; failing to provide contracts between the promoter and the contestants to CSCL; engaging in fraud, deceit, or dishonesty in performing the duties of a promoter; participating in a sham or fake contest or event; and engaging in conduct that is detrimental to a contest or exhibition.
Final orders were also issued stipulating the following:
Shannon Hale of Redford, Michigan – permanent revocation of timekeeper and judge licenses and a $2,000 fine. This follows a 2016 Formal Complaint alleging that she acted as a mixed martial artist judge and mixed martial artists timekeeper in unapproved contests; aided and abetted a contestant to act as a contestant in an unapproved contest and without proper licensure; and participated in a sham or fake contest.
Joseph John Battaglia, of Westland, Michigan, a professional mixed martial artist, prohibited from applying for any license issued under the Unarmed Combat Regulatory Act for six months, and a $4,000 fine.This follows a 2016 Formal Complaint alleging that he participated as a mixed martial artist referee without proper licensure; aided and abetted a contestant to act as a contestant in an unapproved contest and without proper licensure; and participated in a sham or fake contest.
Ramsey J. Beard, of Roseville, Michigan, an amateur mixed martial artist, license was suspended from June 1, 2016 through December 14, 2016.This follows a Formal Complaint alleging, in part, that he aided and abetted another to act as a contestant without a contestant license; weighed in to compete in an unapproved contest without being previously approved to compete in the event; participated in a sham or fake contest or event; and engaged in conduct that is detrimental to a contest or exhibition.
Zhakwarius Johnson, of White Lake/Silverwood, Michigan, an unlicensed contestant, cease and desist order became final on July 18, 2016 after Mr. Johnson did not request a contested case hearing to challenge it. This follows a Notice and Order requiring him to cease and desist from violating the Unarmed Combat Regulatory Act by failing to obtain a contestant license; failing to submit a physician certification of his fitness prior to competing; and failing to submit results of HIV and Hepatitis B and C tests performed within the previous 180 days of a contest.
The Michigan Unarmed Combat Regulatory Act was amended in February 2016, to include amateur MMA events. The initial release issued in this matter can be found at: http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-61343_77777-386371--,00.html.
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