SB396 Summary

• Defines professional bare knuckle boxing as two individuals fighting without boxing gloves or hand padding and authorizes the Alabama Athletic Commission to regulate it the same manner as professional boxing and mixed martial arts.

• Revises the medical advisory panel from four to six members, adding two members representing sports medicine specialty to strengthen medical oversight of professional competitors.

• Expands drug testing requirements to include both in-competition and out-of-competition testing using World Anti-Doping Agency standards, with violations punishable by suspension and fines up to $25,000 plus 15% of purse.

• Authorizes the commission to issue temporary licenses to applicants applying less than 30 days before a scheduled, sanctioned event.

• Applies all existing boxing and mixed martial arts regulations, safety requirements, licensing procedures, and criminal penalties to professional bare knuckle boxing activities.