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UFC coming to New York?
By Lisa Scott
In 1997, New York’s then Governor George Pataki banned Mixed Martial Arts from the state, calling it “human ****fighting” and “barbaric.” Seeing how MMA has exploded in popularity and proven to be quite lucrative, it seems that the state of NY now has a change of heart. According to the NY Post, a bill that would allow the sport to be sanctioned by the NYSAC is now working it’s way through the Legislature. So far, there has only been one letter of opposition to the bill, which passed the Assembly unanimously last year. Madison Square Garden and several upstate venues have reportedly expressed interest in hosting the sport, and Marc Ratner, UFC Vice President (and former director of the Nevada Athletic Commission) has stated, "We’d love to have a show in New York. It’s the center of the world for us." If approved, NY will join 32 regulated states, including: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Florida and California.
By Lisa Scott
In 1997, New York’s then Governor George Pataki banned Mixed Martial Arts from the state, calling it “human ****fighting” and “barbaric.” Seeing how MMA has exploded in popularity and proven to be quite lucrative, it seems that the state of NY now has a change of heart. According to the NY Post, a bill that would allow the sport to be sanctioned by the NYSAC is now working it’s way through the Legislature. So far, there has only been one letter of opposition to the bill, which passed the Assembly unanimously last year. Madison Square Garden and several upstate venues have reportedly expressed interest in hosting the sport, and Marc Ratner, UFC Vice President (and former director of the Nevada Athletic Commission) has stated, "We’d love to have a show in New York. It’s the center of the world for us." If approved, NY will join 32 regulated states, including: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Florida and California.