For the first time since a new state law took effect July 1, the Iowa labor commissioner has halted a mixed martial arts because the promoters failed to comply with new state regulations.

Iowa Labor Commissioner David Neil issued a cease and desist order last week to Midwest Fighting Championships regarding a fight scheduled to be held in Bloomfield last Friday.

Iowa law now requires promoters to submit fighter blood work, show proof of medical insurance, submit fighter contracts and ensure that all fighters -- professional or amateur -- are 18 years of age or older.

State lawmakers last session voted to bring amateur MMA bouts under the same licensing and regulatory framework as professional boxing and ultimate fighting matches. Backers said the changes, which were signed into law by Gov. Chet Culver last spring, were necessitated out of safety concerns after the commissioner’s office reported evidence of amateur participants were getting hurt, being paid “under the table,” fighting under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not being treated for hepatitis or HIV/AIDS, and fighting again too soon after being knocked unconscious.

Source: The Sioux City Journal

MADRID, Iowa (AP) -- The city council in the central Iowa town of Madrid has suspended its police chief after a video promoting his mixed martial arts fight was posted online.

The council on Monday voted to suspend Rick Tasler for 5 days without pay. He must attend a professional development course, and will be on employment probation for six months.

The video, which was posted on YouTube, showed Tasler in uniform pointing a handgun at a sparring partner's head and allowing a civilian to fire several weapons outside of Madrid.

Tasler, who has been police chief since July 2008, told the council he regretted the negative image the video brought on the town.

via Sioux City Journal

Rick Tasler at Sherdog

News Story and video at YouTube

"This filing will result in no immediate change in our daily operations, and we expect to make no changes regarding our operating structure or philosophy," Trump Chief Executive Mark Juliano said in a statement.

Nine affiliates of the casino operator including Trump Plaza Associates, Trump Plaza Associates, Trump Marina Associates and Trump Taj Mahal Associates simultaneously sought protection, according to the filing.

The company, eager to conserve cash, missed a $53.1 million bond interest payment due on December 1 as a sharp downturn in consumer spending hit casino revenue, prompting bondholders to push for bankruptcy.

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