Chris Weidman writes letter to the New York Assembly asking for the legalization of MMA

C. Weidman (photo) wants to defend his title in New York. Photo: Brandon Magnus/UFC

The MMA community and the UFC have been fighting for years for the sport to be legalized in the state of New York, the only state in the United States where fights are not allowed. A decisive vote by the state Assembly will be held soon and could put an end to the discussion.

See too

New York is about to legalize MMA, says North American newspaper

UFC counts on legalization and prepares event for New York in 2015

UFC reserves gym date to hold event in New York in December

Who is eager to see this happen is the current UFC middleweight champion, Chris Weidman. The fighter, who was born and has always lived in New York, hopes to be able to fulfill his dream of competing in his hometown if MMA is finally legalized.

To this end, Weidman wrote a long letter to the state Assembly, outlining the reasons why he thinks the bill should be approved. The champion is tipped to headline what would be the UFC's inaugural event in New York, when he would defend his title against Luke Rockhold at the Madison Square Garden gym in December.

Check out the main excerpts from Weidman's letter:

Dear New York State Assembly

My name is Chris Weidman. I was born, raised, and still live in the great state of New York. I'm a professional MMA fighter and I'm the current UFC middleweight champion. I write about the bill that proposes the legalization of MMA in New York.

As you know, New York is the only North American state in which professional MMA is still illegal. All 49 other states have adopted standardized rules to regulate the sport, from weight categories to health and safety standards. With the rise of the UFC, MMA has become one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, and I, a native New Yorker, feel proud to be a part of this growth.

For me, being able to fight in my home state would be a dream come true.

I remember my first fights before arriving in the UFC. I had a fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey, which is the closest place to home that I've ever fought. There were several people who drove three hours to cheer and watch me fight. When you invest a lot in something, whether physically or emotionally, as happens in MMA, there's nothing like having your friends and family to support you.

Then I got to the UFC and never fought on the east coast again.

I've fought everywhere from Chicago to Canada to California. Since fighting for the middleweight title, I've only been on the sport's biggest stage, Las Vegas. But there's no place like home.

I am blessed enough to live some of my dreams. I'm the current UFC middleweight champion, I'm married to the love of my life and we have two beautiful children, with a third on the way. I have family, friends and an entire community in New York supporting me in everything I do.

But since I started MMA, I've dreamed of stepping into the octagon at Madison Square Garden. After having several fights all over the country, I can't even imagine what it would be like to finally fight at home, with my whole family in the stands watching me.

It gives me chills just thinking about it.

The UFC has been fighting to enter New York for a long time, and the time has come for that battle to come to an end. The New York Senate voted overwhelmingly for six years in a row to pass the bill, but it never passed the Assembly.

With less than 48 hours to vote on the bill, I strongly urge the Speaker of the Assembly, the Honorable Carl E. Heastie, to allow the bill to come to a vote.

I thank you for your attention and I hope you will consider my request so that I can see two of my greatest loves come together: MMA and the state of New York.

Thank you for your consideration

Sincerely,

Chris Weidman