UFC White House fights will be sanctioned, regulated by ABC
The issue of the UFC White House card taking place on federal land has been solved with the addition of the ABC for oversight.
The UFC's event planned for the White House in June crossed a potential regulatory hurdle Thursday. The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), which oversees boxing and MMA in the U. S.
, will be on hand to "serve as an independent third party to advise on the regulatory operations" of the event, the UFC announced. Because the White House is located on federal property, the District of Columbia athletic commission has no jurisdiction over the event, called UFC Freedom 250. In cases like that, typically in other countries, the UFC has self-regulated in the past.
But given the historic nature of the card, which features two title fights and six total bouts, ABC's involvement likely was a critical step. A recent report by the Washington Post had the D. C.
commission calling the the event's regulation into question because it wouldn't have a permit, but the addition of the ABC for oversight likely solves that perceived problem. "As the event is being held on federal property, there is no requirement for the UFC to select a state athletic commission to oversee the event," ABC president Timothy Shipman said in a release. "The UFC expresses its commitment to ensuring that this event is among the most thoroughly regulated in the history of the sport and has requested that the ABC serve as an independent third party to assist in assembling the most qualified group of judges, referees and inspectors in the world.