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Just how low can the average intelligence of a country plummet before it is definitely considered the "idiot" stage.....would the following qualify?: SENATORS MULL BAN ON EXTREME FIGHTING By EMILY GERSEMA Associated Press Writer DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Four state senators mulling whether to ban extreme fighting took an unorthodox field trip, trooping off to a local bar to watch the bloody battles up close. While their colleagues in the House debated budget issues, the senators went to "Fight Night" at Toad Holler Night Club, a smoky bar on the edge of Des Moines' south side. "Did you see that? That looked like a choke hold, didn't it?" asked Sen. Betty Soukup after a shirtless and barefoot contestant conceded defeat by thumping the mat with the back of his hand. The crowd screamed, drowning out the pulse of heavy metal music. The referee stepped in, pulled their arms apart and announced the winner, throwing his arm into the air. The loser hugged the man who choked him, congratulating him on the victory. Soukup watched fight after fight Wednesday night with Sens. Mary Lou Freeman, Johnie Hammond, and Patricia Harper, and they were later joined by Rep. James Van Fossen. It was all homework, they said. Contests of extreme fighting - or ultimate fighting - are held in some bars and clubs, where people challenge each other to fights in a ring, using combat skills ranging from judo to boxing to wrestling. The fights aren't official sports contests and often are not officiated, leaving legislators concerned that competitors will severely beat or kill one another. Nebraska and West Virginia legislatures also are discussing the issue. After watching three matches, Freeman, chairwoman of the Senate Business and Labor Relations Committee, said she isn't sure whether senators will ban the fights. "It's obvious people are enjoying it," Freeman said, surveying the 650 faces fixed on the amateur fighters. "Right now, I'm just watching people beating each others' brains out, and they seem to be enjoying it." Fighter Toby Herrera of Des Moines trains 40 hours a week with his 10-member squad, Team Tap, so he can punch, kick and wrestle his way to a victory every Wednesday night. His record is 15-3 since he started six months ago. The level of danger depends on how stubborn the contender is, said Herrera, 21. Herrera doesn't want to lose his sport in a piece of legislation. "I hope they don't end it," he said, hunched over and staring at the fighters in the ring. 2002-02-28 10:25:03 GMT Copyright 2002 The Associated Press All Rights Reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. | ||||||||||||
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