Congresswoman Ilhan Omar raised significant concerns about proposed changes to boxing regulation during a recent congressional hearing, as UFC executives pushed for legislation that would fundamentally reshape the sport’s structure.
The Minnesota representative questioned UFC executive Lawrence Epstein about the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, a bill that would introduce UFC-style promotion, rankings, and exclusive contracts to professional boxing through new Unified Boxing Organizations.
Omar’s scrutiny centered on whether the proposed changes would truly benefit fighters or simply replicate problems that have plagued mixed martial arts.
Drawing on the UFC’s history of antitrust lawsuits and ongoing fighter pay controversies, Omar pressed Epstein on specific details about revenue sharing and contract terms. The congresswoman wanted to know if boxers would receive fair compensation or find themselves locked into restrictive agreements similar to those faced by MMA fighters.
Epstein notably could not commit to specific revenue percentages, instead emphasizing that the new system would merely offer fighters an additional “choice” while claiming current Ali Act protections would remain unchanged.
In her closing remarks, Omar made clear her position on the legislation: “the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act does not yet live up to that promise” of ensuring fighters get paid fairly, retain leverage, and have their health and safety prioritized. She acknowledged boxing as a sport requiring fighters “to push their bodies and minds to the limit to achieve greatness,” deserving “our utmost respect and our commitment.”
The ranking member urged fellow lawmakers to conduct more thorough outreach before advancing the bill. “I do recommend that before this bill moves any further that my colleagues take a moment and check in with the people who will actually feel the impact of these reforms,” Omar stated. She specifically called for consultation with state athletic commissions, local boxing gyms, small venues, and most importantly, boxers themselves.
Omar entered multiple documents into the congressional record opposing the legislation, including letters from boxing legends Oscar De La Hoya and Evander Holyfield, promoter Bob Arum, the MMA Fighters Association, and former UFC fighter Sarah McMahon. The inclusion of MMA voices in opposition to UFC-backed boxing legislation underscores concerns about whether the promotion model has served fighters well.
While some witnesses, including California regulator Andy Foster, argued consolidation could improve matchmaking, Omar emphasized the need for “fully informed policy decision that truly helps workers and small businesses around sports” before moving forward with any reforms.
