Sheldon Silver (center) was sentenced to at least 20 years in prison. Photo: AP
Even without being directly related to the trial, MMA won a great victory this Monday (30) and took another step towards legalization in the state of New York – the only one in the United States that still maintains a ban on the sport. This is because the politician who is considered the sport's greatest enemy was convicted of corruption and will have to give up his place in the legislative assembly.
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According to the state's main press agencies, congressman Sheldon Silver, who held a seat in the assembly for the last 20 years and was one of the most staunch opponents of the MMA in the legislative branch, was convicted of several crimes, including fraud, money laundering and extortion.
For the crimes, Sheldon could face up to 120 years in prison, but the tendency is for the sentence to be revised and remain in the region of 20 years in prison. Even so, it is highly unlikely that the former congressman will serve his sentence, even partially, as he is already 71 years old.
Under a new command, now under the auspices of fellow Democrat Carl Heastie, the New York City Council will vote on whether or not to end the ban on MMA in the state next February. Despite this, and also as a form of pressure for a favorable result, the Ultimate organization has already scheduled a major event for Madison Square Garden, in New York City: UFC 198, scheduled for next April.
To date, the UFC has only held one event in the state of New York, its seventh edition in 1995, in the city of Buffalo, before the MMA embargo came into effect. Despite the fall of its biggest opponent in the chamber, Ultimate will still face fierce opposition from the “Cullinary Union 226” (union of hoteliers and workers in the culinary sector), which has great power and influence in the state.
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