While mixed martial arts fighting got off to a slow start -- unified rules were n't accepted until 2001 .
Many states did n't allow the fighting -- now 44 of 48 states with athletic commissions have opened the door for the sport .
While mixed martial arts fighting got off to a slow start -- unified rules were n't accepted until 2001 , and many states did n't allow the fighting -- now 44 of 48 states with athletic commissions have opened the door for the sport .