On Monday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill regulating mixed martial arts in his state. The bill calls for a new regulating body to be created, the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission which will oversee MMA as well as other combat sports, and will replace the old Massachusetts State Boxing Commission.

According to the text of the bill, the state will reap four percent of revenue for ticket sales and two percent from televised events.

UFC president Dana White was excited about the news Twittering his thoughts for fans.

Gov Deval patrick just signed the MMA bill in Mass!!! I am so excited words can not decribe! Here we come Boston!! NY is next!!

Think about where we started. One state to go then Ontario!!!

White and the UFC have always coveted the markets in the state of New York and the Canadian Province of Ontario.

With Massachusetts opening to MMA, the UFC has promised to book an event in the state and is looking at Boston to host it’s first event.

New York remains the last holdout among major states to sanction MMA, although a bill to regulate the sport was passed in a key Assembly committee in 2009 before internal Senate turmoil prematurely ended the session. The bill is believed to have an excellent chance to pass in 2010.

Source: AOL FanHouse