Marines to host barred martial arts event

COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Athletic Commission has warned officials at the Marines' Parris Island that a mixed martial arts event scheduled for the weekend is considered so dangerous it would be illegal if it were held off federal property, a spokesman said.

"Our primary concern is that they may be letting people participate in an event where they are putting people at risk for serious injury," said agency spokesman Jim Knight. "Our staff made contact and advised them that the activity is illegal in South Carolina."

The popular fighting sport combines elements of karate, judo, jujitsu and kickboxing.

Proponents say it has evolved since its no-holds-barred days by adding weight classes to better match opponents and banning moves such as strikes to the back of the neck and head, groin kicking, head butting, eye-gouging and spitting.

South Carolina law specifically bars "ultimate fighting" events, defined as a competition that uses a combination of fighting skills such as boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, or martial art skills.

Knight pointed out that since the event is being held on a military installation, South Carolina officials "don't have any jurisdiction."

"It's a dangerous activity," Knight said.

1st Lt. Josiah Nicely, a spokesman at Parris Island's Recruit Training Depot, said the event "has been reviewed by our lawyers and they found no problem with it."

Nicely said the event was intended to boost morale among the mainly young and single Marines at the installation.

Republican state Sen. Jake Knotts of West Columbia sponsored a bill this year to legalize the sport in the Palmetto State, but it died in subcommittee.

Knotts argued the sport is a "moneymaker" and that the state could benefit by approving it. His measure specified that licensed fighters must be at least 18 years old and pass physical and medical tests before bouts.

According to press releases supplied by the Marines, the Saturday event is sponsored by International Championship Fighting, and promises "a great fight card."

"What is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the evening is the bad blood between Josh Robertson vs. Joe Trevino out of Brazil. There are also two woman (sic) fights scheduled for the night," the release said.

Tickets are $20 for general seating, with "VIP table seating ... available at ringside for $600 per table," the release said.

One of two major Marine Corps training facilities in the nation, Parris Island annually turns out about 20,000 new recruits. It is the only site in the country were female Marines are trained.

The event is being held at the installation's All Weather Training Facility, which Nicely said could hold about 4,000 persons.

Another Marine installation, the Air Station in Beaufort, is within easy driving distance of Parris Island.

A call to a spokesman for the ICF was not immediately returned. Tickets are being sold on the Internet, according to the ICF statement.