AUGUSTA – Mixed martial arts fighters gathered in a legislative committee room Thursday to testify in favor of a bill that would legalize and regulate their sport for statewide competitions.

The legislation, proposed by Rep. Matt Peterson, D-Rumford, was billed by supporters as a positive economic opportunity in an otherwise bleak climate. The testimony was heard by the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee’s public hearing on the bill.

“Mixed martial arts, or MMA, is the fastest growing sport in the world,” said Peterson, whose brother participates in the sport. “Last year, the state of New Hampshire generated more than $80,000 in fees from regional MMA promotions.”

Joe Cavallaro, who owns World Championship Fighting, the largest regional mixed martial arts promotion in New England, said he was ready to bring fights to Maine as soon as it’s legal.

“Concession revenue runs between $40,000 and $50,000 per show; we purchase hotel rooms in blocks of 25 just to accommodate staff for the show, and the fighters and fans and friends typically purchase another 25 rooms,” he said. “I also have an advertising budget that runs around $35,000 for each show. That’s money spent locally.”

Peterson said 45 states have adopted similar safety standards as those included in his measure.

Though Maine has outlawed mixed martial arts competitions, Peterson said the sport has a large following in Maine, both in terms of fans and successful fighters.

Mixed martial arts competitions are hosted by a variety of organizations, including Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting.

Some of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s most popular stars are Marcus Davis of Bangor; former UFC heavyweight champion of the world Tim Sylvia, who grew up in Ellsworth; and World Extreme Cagefighting 145-pound champion of the world Mike Brown, a Bonny Eagle High School graduate, Peterson said.

Brown said he would love to be able to fight in his home state.

“It’s a sport I love; it’s brought a lot to my life,” he said. “There’s no reason it shouldn’t be here.”

Addressing concerns from committee members about safety, Brown said he suffered more injuries as an amateur wrestler than he has as a cage fighter.

“Instead of referees deciding when the competition should stop, like in wrestling or boxing, the mentality in MMA is to tap out – there’s an honor in saying I’m going to get hurt,” he said.

Other fighters who testified said their sport is marked by honor and respect for fellow fighters and many matches end with hugs between the competitors.

“Everyone has a lot of respect for each other; we’re not just a bunch of dogs in a cage,” said Cecil Haney of Portland, who trains with the Academy of Mixed Martial Arts, which has schools in Lewiston and Portland. “When people look at what’s going on inside the cage, they don’t understand that it’s a highly skilled chess game.”

Elizabeth Waldes of Portland, another fighter with the academy, said outside perceptions of the sport are generally incorrect.

“The fear most people tend to have is that this is human cock-fighting,” she said. She is a practicing physician assistant and fellow fighters often come to her for medical advice, she said. “Most of the stuff I see is ligament injuries, strains, pulls and knee stuff. Nothing exotic.”

Anne Head, commissioner of Maine’s Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, who spoke in opposition to proposal, said Peterson’s bill would place licensing and regulation of the sport within her department.

“Although this may be a valid sport, we don’t regulate sports in this department,” she said, acknowledging the department used to regulate boxing. “Yes, we used to, and it never fit in. I am relieved I don’t have that responsibility anymore.”

The Maine Academy of Family Physicians submitted a letter of opposition that said the state should not sanction an activity that glorifies personal injury.

The bill will be scheduled for a work session in the coming weeks.