MMA achieved another important victory in the United States. After encountering major political barriers to legalizing the sport in New York, the State Senate approved this Tuesday, by 42 votes in favor and just 18 against, the release of MMA in the region. Now the bill will be forwarded to the Legislative Assembly, and if it wins the second vote, MMA will be legalized in New York.
Holding an event in New York, more specifically at Madson Square Garden, is one of the UFC's goals in 2011. The organization's president, Dana White, has encouraged residents to keep in touch with their Assembly members to ask for faster voting, which is scheduled to take place at the end of June. Lorenzo Fertizza, Ultimate's majority partner, released an official statement, thanking the senators for their vote.
“It’s time to bring the fastest growing sport in the world to New York,” the note said. “With each passing month, our sport becomes more popular around the world, and of course in New York. We want to thank the State Senate, and we are confident that when Assembly members look at our popularity, the economic and employment benefits to the State, they will take the same action,” the statement read.
The third most populous state in the United States and the largest financial center in the country, the release of MMA in New York has the support of Governor David Paterson, Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner, but is opposed by Democratic Representative Bob Reilly, which is radically against the sport. Currently, New York has two representatives in the UFC: Matt Serra, former welterweight champion and the young revelation of Ultimate, Jon Jones, holder of the belt in the light heavyweight division.
If MMA is actually legalized in New York, only the states of Connecticut and Vermont have not yet allowed the sport to be practiced.
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