Pennsylvania Senate Bill 632

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 632, often referred to as the Tough Guy Law, became a legislative act (Act 1983-62) that outlawed the sport of mixed martial arts. The Tough Guy Law was the first legal precedent for MMA in the United States, approved November 3, 1983.

An Act amending the act of August 31, 1955 (P. L. 531, No. 131), entitled "Pennsylvania Athletic Code," regulating kick boxing; further regulating amateur boxing; establishing a State boxing register; providing for medical training seminars; requiring certain emergency medical equipment to be at situs of certain events; further providing for suspension; further defining referee's role in boxing contest; prohibiting tough guy contests or battle of the brawlers contests; and providing a penalty.

Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, April 13, 1983 Reported as amended, May 25, 1983 First consideration, May 25, 1983 First consideration, May 25, 1983 Second consideration, with amendments, June 14, 1983 Third consideration and final passage, June 15, 1983 (47-0) In the House Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, June 21, 1983 Reported as amended, Sept. 19, 1983 First consideration, Sept. 19, 1983 Laid on the table, Sept. 19, 1983 Removed from table, Sept. 27, 1983 Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, Sept. 28, 1983 Re-reported as committed, Oct. 12, 1983 Second consideration, Oct. 17, 1983 Third consideration, with amendments, Oct. 19, 1983 Final passage, Oct. 19, 1983 (196-0) (Remarks see House Journal Page 1606), Oct. 19, 1983 In the Senate Senate concurred in House amendments, Oct. 26, 1983 (50-0) Signed in Senate, Oct. 26, 1983 Signed in House, Oct. 26, 1983 In hands of the Governor, Oct. 27, 1983 Last day for action, Nov. 6, 1983 Approved by the Governor, Nov. 3, 1983 Act No. 62

In 1979, Pittsburgh based CV Productions Inc. (Frank Caliguri & Bill Viola), created the rules for a new sport that mixed various martial arts and combat sports. The combined fighting competitions [36](now known as mixed martial arts) were coined,“Battle of the Tough Guys” or “Tough Guy Contest.” The competition format was unprecedented at the time and fell outside the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission (PSAC) who regulated boxing and wrestling. Control of the new sport became a point of contention between CV Productions and the PSAC. CV Productions promoted events across the state of Pennsylvania until the Attorney General enacted a temporary ban the company in January 1981.

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