Copy and paste this link in your browser to see West Virginia, and to
see how your own state is doing. We here in WV are attempting to
clarify exactly what this means, and presumably establish that it
does not pertain to Sport Jujitsu.

http://64.233.179.104/search?
q=cache:yuiMOFKV1m8J:www.ikfkickboxing.com/USAStates.htm+ultimate+figh
ting+mixed+martial+arts+regulated+by+state&hl=en&ie=UTF-8


Below is the entry for West Virgina on the site linked above:

West Virginia- 3-21-05:
MMA: New rules and regulations through our State Legislature
banned "Ultimate Fighting" and anything resembling this very sport.
Obviously, this would incorporate MMA. We do not allow choke holds,
submission holds, and contestants must use regulation boxing gloves
(which basically does away with grappling) and events must take place
in a regulation boxing ring. The movement made by our Legislature was
simply for the purposes of "safety" - we do not believe that ultimate
fighting type events are safe and do not wish to see such events in
our state.
Professional Kickboxing: Legal in West Virginia.
Amateur Kickboxing: Not allowed. I have never been approached about
an amateur kick-boxing event, but our regs / rules state that all
amateur contests must follow the rules of the USA Amateur Boxing
Federation; however, I will try to review this matter in the coming
days to provide you with an answer.
Steven A. Allred, Chairman West Virginia Athletic Commission

The state of Michigan gives a good example of how confusion can arise
here....the two following quotes from Michigan illustrate the point:

The only sport that is licensed and regulated in Michigan is
professional boxing. Kickboxing and other forms of martial arts are
not unlike all other sports (baseball, football, basketball, etc.);
there is no state involvement whatsoever.

but then.....

Mixed martial arts is a completely different issue. This terminology
has become the generic name for "Ultimate Challenge" type of
competitions. These type of competitions are illegal in Michigan.


So there you have it. In many cases, the state commissions are
obviously confused, not wanting to have the "barbaric" image that was
often the tv reporting/advertising take on Ultimate Fighting (in a
cage), but with boxing as their only experience they seem unable to
distinguish the "anything goes" hype with well-regulated and safe
traditional martial arts competitions. Let's hope they all become
more informed, and soon.