MMA fighters Cat Zingano and Ronda Rousey are lobbying for a California legislative bill, AB 1136, that would create a pension fund for MMA fighters, partially funded by a $1/ticket tax on state MMA events.
Eight years since their initial encounter in the octagon, MMA fighters Cat Zingano and Ronda Rousey remain personally connected, regularly texting about family and career matters. Zingano was intrigued when Rousey introduced the idea of a legislative bill aimed at establishing a pension fund for MMA fighters in California. Zingano said, “She’s a big part of it right now, and she wanted me to be a big part of it. Her and her mom, we all talked and figured out how to be the female voice of this. I felt honored and excited.”
Following discussions with Rousey and her mother, AnnMaria De Mars, who is also a commissioner on the California State Athletic Commission, Zingano took a trip to California. In sharing her testimony during a hearing, Zingano supported AB 1136 – the proposed bill which seeks to provide retirement benefits for fighters who have between 12 and 14 fights scheduled in the state, and which comes into effect once they reach the age of 50. This proposed legislation, funded through a $1 per ticket tax on MMA events held in California and merchandise sales, received unanimous approval from the California Senate’s Committee on Business and Professions.
The fate of the bill now lies with the general assembly where it awaits a vote. If successful, it moves to the governor’s desk for final approval. However, it is important to note that the law will not apply retroactively, meaning only fighters who participate in fights after the bill is signed into law will be eligible for the benefit. Another contributor to the bill’s inception is Zingano’s relationship with Rousey, which is cemented on mutual respect and shared life experiences. “With all of her fights before, there was this gameplan of being a bully to them, but she threw me off by never being rude to me. She’s only had my back, and I’ve always only had her back,” Zingano said.
Zingano, who deeply aligns with the motivation behind the proposed bill, believes that it offers a significant safety net for professional fighters. She asserts that boxers have enjoyed similar benefits since 1982 when legislation was passed to create a pension fund in California subsidized by a tax on tickets. Often a reluctant recommender of professional fighting to young people due to the physical and financial challenges, Zingano believes this retirement benefit would offer some much-needed balance. Despite detecting differing feedback from promoters, she hopes that the potential advantages of the bill to the fighters will override any opposition rooted in interests of business.