MMA News 2016: MMA Finally Legalized In New York City, Fighters React
After a 19-year ban, the state of New York has finally decided to legalize and regulate mixed martial arts fights.
In a report by Michael Hutchinson for Bloody Elbow, the New York Assembly voted 113-25, for a bill to be passed in favor of legalization on Tuesday, March 22nd. The said bill now gives the New York State Athletic Commission the jurisdiction over all combat sports, which includes mixed martial arts.
In turn, all promotion companies will be required to pay 8.5% on gate tax and a 3% tax on broadcast rights sold. The report adds that it was not a walk in the park prior to the decision, as many Assembly members still held on to their preconceived opinions about the sport, which were mainly on the negative end.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell perceives the sport as "gay porn with a different ending", while Assemblyman Charles Barron likened MMA to a form of slavery wherein men were being thrown in a cage.
These opinions were stated despite the fact that New York is the last and only state to have not legalized mixed martial arts, and also considering the monumental numbers that the UFC has been putting up through their superstars such as Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor.
It has been a back-and-forth battle between the UFC, who has been the main catalyst for the case to be reviewed, and the state of New York. But with the announcement and sudden shift in things, fighters were rightfully ecstatic that their sport would now be part of the many attractions in what is considered as the capital of the world.
In a series of tweets, fighters shared their reactions and sentiments on the matter. New York native and UFC lightweight fighter Al Iaquinta simply threw out a rhetorical question to sum up his feelings.
"Was that really so hard?!" Iaquinta wrote.
New Jersey native and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar was simply satisfied, despite the length of time it needed for it to happen.
"Wow long time coming! Better late than never!" he wrote.
