The UFC's dream of promoting an event at Madson Square Garden (photo) was once again postponed. Photo: Disclosure
The expectation of seeing MMA regulated in the state of New York in 2014, the only territory in the United States where the sport is illegal, must be postponed. In an interview, UFC vice president of regulatory affairs Marc Ratner practically ruled out the chance of seeing the bill that abolishes the ban on mixed martial arts in the state voted on in Congress.
“It (the project) never reached the agenda. And I would say it won’t be this year again,” said Ratner, in an interview with the “MMA Junkie” website. Although there are still eight days left until the end of the current legislative session, the leader limited expectations and did not show confidence in discussing the project. “I'm always cautiously optimistic. But now, I feel like things have already been mapped out and we won’t make it (this year)”, he analyzed.
Despite the support of the current New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, the MMA regulation project in the state never reached the governor, as for this to happen it needs to be approved by both the Senate and Congress. In recent years, the proposal passed the senators five times, but always failed in the congressmen's vote. The ban on mixed martial arts in New York dates back to 1997, when UFC 12 was banned from taking place in the state – having to be hurriedly moved to Alabama.
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