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It's among the most popular of the next-generation sports.

Cage fighting mixes the martial arts of Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and boxing.

In November 2007, professional cage fighting became legal in Missouri attracting fighters of all ages to the sport.

Now some of Missouri's lawmakers and residents are concerned about the lack of regulations. Especially when young kids are put in the cage.

The so-called extreme sport is known for its punches, kicks, and knockouts. But almost all fights in Missouri, especially ones conducted at The Blue Note in Columbia, are all over the age of 18.

In other areas of the Show-Me state the scene is not the same. Audiences have watched kids as young as six cage fight. A video of one cage-fighting event out of Springfield, prompted Missouri State Rep. Bryan Stevenson of Webb City to begin his own fight.

"Engaging in this sport of behavior at that young age has an extreme high risk of permanent injury to the children," said Stevenson.

As an attorney, Stevenson has dealt with cases of child endangerment. And even believes youth cage fighting can be a form of child abuse.

"We have no restrictions whatsoever for when they're in the ring beating the snot out of each other," said Stevenson. "There's no padding requirement. There are no helmet requirements. I think it is vital that we have in place the authority for the department of athletics to control mixed martial arts engaged by young people."

In fact, according to Stevenson, the Missouri Office of Athletics is one of only a few across the country with no authority to put rules and regulations in place.

A spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Professional Registration, which overlooks the Office of Athletics, said in a written statement that they wouldn't comment on Stevenson's bill since it hasn't been filed.

But Stevenson says most cage fighting organizers support his legislation.

"We don't want to give the sport a bad name, because it is a sport," said Rob Hullett, who owns the MidWest Fight League, trains fighters and puts on cage fighting events all over mid-Missouri.

"You shouldn't have kids five, six, eight doin' that," said Hullett. "I won't even train them unless they're eight or above. My feeling's that kids don't really understand what you could actually do to somebody."

Kristey Talley, has sons under the age of 18 that train in cage fighting. Including a 7-year-old. She believes kids do know the difference between the cage and the schoolyard.

"I have absolutely no problem at all," said Talley. "They know that it is unacceptable in school. They don't start any type of fights they walk away. This sport teaches restraint, its very disciplined."

Stevenson insists he does not want to ban youth mixed martial arts. He started work on his legislation during the last session.

He's confident it will pass this year because many of his supporters are now Gov. Jay Nixon's top advisors.

Stevenson plans to have the text of the bill online by the end of the week.