New York lifts ban and legalizes MMA fights

UFC dreams of holding an event at Madison Square Garden (photo). Photo: Disclosure

March 22, 2016 will forever be marked by the fall of one of the great taboos of MMA in the United States. The New York Legislature overturned the ban on the sport in the state and finally legalized mixed martial arts fights there.

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In a vote held in the state capital, Albany, the legalization of MMA was approved handily, with 113 votes in favor and 25 against. Now, the project will undergo approval from the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, in a phase that will be a mere formality.

Thus, the state of New York will finally host MMA fights in 2016. It was the last of the 50 North American states that banned fights, a ban that had lasted since 1997.

However, the first MMA fight in New York should only take place in the second half of this year. The local Athletic Commission will need 120 days to adapt to the sport's rules in order to inspect and regulate the fights.

Holding an event in New York has been a longtime desire of UFC officials, who even announced that UFC 197, in April, would take place at the legendary Madison Square Garden gym. However, the legalization of fights did not happen in time. Therefore, if everything goes as expected, New York should receive its first attraction in November.