By Associated Press - Tuesday, March 11, 2014

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The Senate president says a bill under consideration would weaken Connecticut’s new law legalizing mixed martial arts.

Current law makes MMA promoters liable for health care costs associated with fighters’ long-term injuries, a provision added by Senate President Donald Williams.

A bill debated Tuesday eliminates that provision. Instead, promoters would provide medical insurance for MMA fighters and boxers. Promoters complained the law’s current wording is functionally inoperable.

Williams accused MMA operators of not wanting to be “responsible for the full costs of injuries that they know will result in this sport.”

Michael Mersch, a senior vice president with Ultimate Fighting Championship, called MMA “a relatively safe sport” with a lower injury rate than other sports.

MMA is a form of fighting that features boxing, wrestling, taekwondo, judo and other disciplines.

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