The Association of Boxing Commission and Combat Sports, the governmental entity that oversees combat sports commissions in North America, has begun a new initiative that will seek to improve fighters’ understanding of rules and regulations in combat sports.

To do this, the ABC has created a committee—the Athlete’s Voice Committee—that will support “hundreds of current and retired fighters.” The platform attempts to bring about better dialogue between fighters and the regulators whose standards the former performs under, be it the ring or the octagon.

“The ABC hopes this committee will allow all fighters to understand the sport from a regulatory standpoint,” ABC President Mike Mazzulli said in a press release. “At every weigh-in, I ask fighters questions relating to rules and regulations and it is apparent to me a majority of combative participants do not have clear knowledge of the Rules and Scoring Criteria. 

“This committee will also allow fighters a voice at the table.”

So far, the committee will allot seven spots to former professional fighters. Thus far, it has chosen three: UFC icon Randy Couture and MMA veterans Carlos Newton and Din Thomas.

Said Thomas, “I’m so proud to be a part of this historical moment for our community and I’m honored to help where I can.”

Newton noted, “I’d rather fight for the future than relive the past.”

The committee will be chaired by Kim Sumbler, the executive director of the New York State Athletic Commission, and includes six other volunteer members, including Erik Magraken of the ABC’s Rules and Regulations Committee, referee Jack Reiss, Colorado Executive Director Tony Cummings, Wyoming Executive Director Nick Meeker, and South Carolina Athletic Commission Administrator Jon Hollingsworth.

“This is ground-breaking for the industry,” Sumbler said. “Regulators and athletes working hand in hand for the betterment of combat sports.  A great opportunity for athletes to have a meaningful and organized voice in their own sport”

Per the release, the goal of the committee is to bring “the most pressing concerns fights have” and present them to the ABC at large.  

The ABC says that in a few weeks it will provide a form on their website for fighters who wish to participate.