Nebraska Republican moves to authorize slap fighting and ‘MMA on ice’

Nebraska state Sen. Ben Hansen, a member of the Republican Party, has introduced Legislative Bill 635, a piece of legislation to authorize the regulation of several combat sports including slap fighting and MMA on ice.

According to a summary of the bill’s text, LB 635 would amend current law to allow the State Athletic Commissioner the authority to regulate professional bare knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, amateur kickboxing and slap fighting.

Hansen’s office did not immediately respond to a request to clarify why these sports are a legislative priority for him.

Slap fighting apparently involves two contestants taking turns slapping each other as hard as they can to claim victory. According to a study from the Brain Injury Association of America, the activity may induce traumatic brain injury with potentially long-term consequences.

Bare knuckle boxing is a centuries-old sport going through a resurgence in popularity after a long period of mainstream rejection, likely due to the inherently brutal nature of matches. Opponents spar without gloves, resulting in frequent welts, cuts and drawing of blood. Although the combatants do not wear gloves, proponents argue that long-term brain damage is less of an issue due to them not hitting as hard to avoid breaking bones in their hands. As of last December, bare knuckle fighting is currently sanctioned in over 30 states.

MMA on ice, also known as “ice wars,” has two competitors wearing hockey apparel brawl with fighting gloves while balancing on ice skates.

Before joining the Nebraska legislature, Hansen worked as a chiropractor after graduating from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2007. According to FollowTheMoney.org, Hansen has received $123,848 in campaign donations from the health sector since he was first elected in 2018. This includes $82,500 from the Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association.

LB 635 was introduced to the Republican-dominated legislature last Wednesday (the legislature is officially nonpartisan) and was referred to the Nebraska Committee on Government Affairs two days later.