A bill to regulate mixed martial arts recently passed through the West Virginia Legislature, making the state the 45th in the U.S. to approve the rapidly-growing sport. Today, officials at the Ultimate Fighting Championship expressed their gratitude to local lawmakers who helped clear the way for mixed martial arts in “The Mountain State.”

“We’ve worked hard to get this sport regulated all over the world, particularly in the United States,” UFC President Dana White said. “I’m really excited to see the sport regulated in West Virginia and look forward to one day bringing a UFC event there.”

The UFC has led the way in helping the sport of mixed martial arts gain regulation in the U.S. Only New York, Vermont and Connecticut remain unregulated, while Alaska and Wyoming lack the necessary regulatory bodies to oversee the sport.

For UFC stars like former bantamweight champion Brian Bowles, who was born in Charleston, W.V., the news was met with excitement.

“All of my friends and family in West Virginia always ask when they’re going to get to see me fight in my home state,” Bowles said. “Now that the sport is regulated there, I am excited to know that I could one day compete in the Octagon in West Virginia.”