Iowa senators study bar fights

Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa – Four state senators mulling whether to ban extreme fighting took an unorthodox field trip, trooping off to a local bar to watch the bloody battles up close.

While their colleagues in the House debated budget issues, the senators went to “Fight Night” at Toad Holler Night Club, a smoky bar on the edge of Des Moines’ south side.

“Did you see that? That looked like a choke hold, didn’t it?” asked Sen. Betty Soukup after a shirtless and barefoot contestant conceded defeat by thumping the mat with the back of his hand.

The crowd screamed, drowning out the pulse of heavy metal music.

The referee stepped in, pulled their arms apart and announced the winner, throwing his arm into the air. The loser hugged the man who choked him, congratulating him on the victory.

Soukup watched fight after fight Wednesday night with Sens. Mary Lou Freeman, Johnie Hammond and Patricia Harper, and they were later joined by Rep. James Van Fossen. It was all homework, they said.

Contests of extreme fighting – or ultimate fighting – are held in some bars and clubs, where people challenge each other to fights in a ring, using combat skills ranging from judo to boxing to wrestling.

The fights aren’t official sports contests and often are not officiated, leaving legislators concerned that competitors will severely beat or kill one another.

Nebraska and West Virginia legislatures also are discussing the issue.

After watching three matches, Freeman, chairwoman of the Senate Business and Labor Relations Committee, said she isn’t sure whether senators will ban the fights.

“It’s obvious people are enjoying it,” Freeman said, surveying the 650 faces fixed on the amateur fighters. “Right now, I’m just watching people beating each others’ brains out, and they seem to be enjoying it.”