Funkerstation » . Its very difficult. It was difficult for me

A Congressional subcommittee held a hearing Thursday on a range of issues related to mixed martial arts, including?brain trauma, inconsistent anti-doping measures and athlete compensation.The Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade -- which is part of the?U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce -- reviewed testimony from several witnesses. Among them were former UFC champion Randy Couture and Jeff Novitzky, the UFCs vice president of athlete health and performance.It was a significant hearing in the sports history because, historically, the federal government has taken very little interest in MMA.This is plowing new ground in Congress, the subcommittee chairman, Congressman Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas), said Thursday.As the industry continues to evolve swiftly, it seems that now is the time to bring Congress up to speed on mixed martial arts and understand if there is a role Congress that should be playing in this multibillion-dollar industry.The current lack of comprehensive health insurance for professional fighters was one of the key issues discussed.Although the focus of the hearing was not to specifically address a live bill to expand the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000 to MMA, that topic certainly loomed over the entire hearing.That bill -- introduced to Congress in May by Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) -- aims to expand the federal laws coverage to all combat sports, and specifically calls for the Association of Boxing Commissions to create guidelines for minimum fighter/promoter contractual provisions and establish criteria for an independent fighter rankings system.Couture, who retired in 2011, spoke at length about the need for independent rankings and less restrictive contracts. He used his experience of never securing a fight against Russian icon Fedor Emelianenko as an example.Im living proof of the closed market that exists in our sport right now, Couture said. In the height of my career ... I wanted to fight the No. 1 heavyweight in the world.I wasnt able to see that fight happen through the [UFC], so I pursued it myself outside that contract. Injunctions were filed to keep me from making that fight happen.Novitzky, a longtime advocate of anti-doping practices, said he had concerns regarding any federal law that would force the UFC to cross promote, given the lack of drug testing outside the promotion.The UFC partnered with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to implement a year-round random drug testing program last year.The subcommittee will not meet again until early 2017, at which point there will be a hearing scheduled to specifically address the bill to expand the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, Rep. Mullin told ESPN.com. Should the bill pass through both the subcommittee and the House, it would move on to the Senate.Ultimately, the bill would also require the signature of President-elect Donald Trump, who has a known relationship with UFC president Dana White. Mullin said he does not see that relationship as a threat to the bill, which the UFC does not support.Why would there be the threat of a veto if we have overwhelming bi-partisan support? Mullin asked. I know people say [Trump] has a relationship with Dana White, but that doesnt matter. This is about taking care of fighters. I have zero concerns over that [relationship]. Clippers Jerseys Outlet . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Jersey . World champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia won the gold medal with 237.71 points, Moore-Towers and Moscovitch followed at 208.45 and Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia were third at 187. http://www.cheapclippersjerseyschina.com/ . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. Clippers Jerseys From China . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. Authentic Clippers Jerseys . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. LOS ANGELES -- Even as the Los Angeles City Council paused to honor Kobe Bryant and reflect on everything he has done since he arrived in the city 20 years ago it was evident that Bryants mind was elsewhere, looking ahead, consumed with what comes next.Wednesday was Kobe Bryant Day in L.A., by official proclamation. And after some awkward bits of democracy -- when citizens used the open microphone to decry city expenditures, say Go Lakers! and hurl expletives and racial slurs -- the council got down to honoring Bryants basketball accomplishments and civic contributions in his two-decade career with the Los Angeles Lakers as purple-and-gold clad fans filled council chambers chanting Ko-be and M-V-P.When Kobe Bryant and the Lakers were playing well we were all Angelenos, united and watching greatness, council member Jose Huizar said.The unforgettable moments at the buzzer inspired us to work harder on the things in our lives, Mayor Eric Garcetti said.Speaking in Spanish at the conclusion of his remarks, Garcetti said Bryant represents the spirit of Los Angeles and the heart of Los Angeles.Bryant, with his daughters and pregnant wife by his side, watched the video recap of his 60-point effort in his final NBA game, then listened to the speeches. Lots of speeches.He kept using the word surreal to describe the day. Hed been feted at City Hall before, but when the Lakers were celebrating championships. This was a celebration of him.It feels different because it is different, he said as he entered the garage and took an elevator up to the third floor.When he had his turn at the microphone he conluded by saying:This is an incredible and wonderful city. And after todays amazing celebration, I hope that this legacy extends beyond basketball. I hope that August 24, on this day, is a celebration of passion and hard work, dedication and mentorship. Because teaching the next generation how to achieve greatness is really what its all about. And together as a city we can do this. We only play for one thing in tthis city, and thats winning championships.ddddddddddddInspiring the next generation to achieve their dreams, whatever that dream might be, is the most important thing. We need each other to do it. And together we will do that, and certainly we will win championship after championship.His news conference afterward had little do with basketball. His first two questions were about his newly announced venture capital fund [Im not looking for the massive multiple, Im looking for the passion for the idea, Bryant said] and the challenge of defeating homelessness.He seemed as comfortable talking about these non-basketball issues as any of the politicians were during the day, and it was evident he was well prepared for his post-basketball transition.I was ready, Bryant said. This is a process that Ive been on for 17 years, to try to figure out what comes next. What you understand as athletes, once you hang up the first passion you have to find something that youre just as passionate about. Its very difficult. It was difficult for me. I was born to play basketball. From the age of 4, this is all I knew. but I knew it comes to an end, so what comes next? But it took me 17 years for me to figure out what that is. Its a lot of hard work, its a lot of reading. For the last three years, I was ready.There was one bit of basketball business to attend to. The city chose this date -- Aug. 24, or 8/24 -- because it represented the two jersey numbers Bryant wore during his career. So how would Bryant differentiate between the two versions of him?I think 24 grew to have more perspective, Bryant said. Eight was like a racehorse, youve got the blinders on, you see one thing, youre going after it. Twenty-four, you start getting a little broad[er] perspective, you have a little more awareness.Which number would he chose to hang in Staples Center?Ill probably flip a coin, he said with a grin. ' ' '