MMA New York City: Help make it legal
by MMAmania.com on May 6, 2008 3:57 PM EDT
36 comments
Props: MMAFacts.com
Remember, this is the site that the UFC recently set up to help legalize the sport in the "Empire State" once and for all. Check out the email from former UFC welterweight champion, Matt Serra, after the jump that was recently sent out in a grassroots-esque attempt to win over local legislators with a groundswell of public support.
(Thanks to MMAmania.com reader "Shaolins Finest" for the assist.)
Dear [Mania],
As a native New Yorker, nothing would make me happier than fighting right here in New York.
But I need your help. New York has an antiquated law on its books that prevents any respectable MMA event from being held anywhere in the state. We want that to change, and I'm sure you do too.
These things happen because of pressure from local residents on their legislators, letting the people who pass the bills know that the people they represent care about particular issues.
So we need to get a lot of people to email their legislators. So, please go to www.MMAFacts.com and click on my picture on the left, follow the instructions and send an email or two to your local legislator.
Then forward this email to as many people as you can who you think will also be willing to write and take action.
With your help, we will get MMA to New York. And we will hope to see you at the fights.
Thank you,
Matt Serra
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This would be good for the sport and great for Serra. He’s thinking a main event at MSG against Hughes. I can’t believe that mma has this trouble. Boxers take repeated blows to the head time and again (look at Ali) and yet they say mma is barbaric. 3-5 rounds and most fights are stopped before too much damage is done. I hope all states will soon make this sport legal!
by kevin on May 6, 2008 4:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I still find it hard to believe that it is still illegal anywhere. It’s become so main-stream that to deny the legitemacy of the sport seems almost rediculous. Having laws that ban MMA seem almost as stupid as having laws still on the books about where you’re allowed to tie up your horse.
by Freddy on May 6, 2008 4:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
what states do not allow fights. is there a internet website to visit?
by Bizzle on May 6, 2008 4:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
what states don’t?? I think it’s more like what states do. Haven’t you ever noticed there are only a handful of states the ufc goes to? it’s not coincidence!
by kevin on May 6, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
is it that many? wow, i didn’t think it was that high!
by kevin on May 6, 2008 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And a lot of them don’t have athletics commisions to get approval, so im pretty sure they dont count them.
by Toms Bombs on May 6, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
one more question John!!
I don’t think alekx emelienko can get a work visa…do you?? Would you let an ex con into the country?/ Leben had a drunk driving warrant and couldn’t get a visa without clearing it up, you really think they’ll let him into the country?
I’m asking what you think, not for facts!!
by kevin on May 6, 2008 4:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
shit this would be good for mma and ny its self and probly even bring in more fans and t i think i saw thet iron ring in new your they have try out there wtf is that about?
by shawn on May 6, 2008 4:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
dam john, saw your reply to me, I was just curious of your opinion, calm down. I reported the same thing last week about no venue, and I know you’re a big pride guy and thought you’d have an opinion. I asked about the pay because you’re a business student and once again value your opinions john. I think you took me asking questions out of context bro..I actually think you have a brain (unlike some of these guys), so I asked your opinion…little stressed at mid terms still??
by kevin on May 6, 2008 4:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The bout is expected to take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
This is on front page of sherdog referncing the Fedor/Timmy fight card
by kevin on May 6, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He flips his lid in every other post of his. He had a bad childhood. He thinks everyone’s out to get him. Best to just leave him alone…
by rhv on May 6, 2008 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Appologize if I misinterpreted your comments. Broke 3 fingers on my hand and Vicodin’s had me a little pissed off yesterday.
by john on May 7, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no problem, chew em, they kick in faster!!
by kevin on May 7, 2008 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL, u r so right, but they get stuck in your teeth!
by john on May 7, 2008 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
got this off of sherdog…it’s funny because I don’t think any stand up guy had a chance in the early days of the UFC.
Kimbo new interview: "I could have EASILY won the early UFCs"
by kevin on May 6, 2008 4:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I just wish they would revamp the judging system, boxing “10pt must” system just doesnt work.
MMA is infinitely more complex than a 1 discipline sport like boxing, they need to develop a system to recognize these complexities without actually being complicated itself.
Pride system wasnt bad – but theres still alot of room to improve.
by jerrolds on May 6, 2008 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree, if a guy gets points for take downs, what about the guy who pops right back up? The guy doing the taking down, didn’t do his job of working on the ground. (this was a big factor in the bisping/hammill fight, matt took him down, but couldn’t keep him down)
by kevin on May 6, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One of my biggest examples of this is the BJ Penn vs GSP fight – gsp won based on his takedowns, but didnt do anything with them, both of them basically hung onto each other for rounds 2 and 3, except that BJ broke his nose and outstruck him in the first
Another one was in the recent TUF episode – Rampage’s fighter clearly did more dmg from the bottom in rounds 2 and 3 but yet lost the fight
theres too much emphasis on takedowns imo..carry way too much weight, dragging someone down is far easier than reversing the position on the ground or forcing it back up
by jerrolds on May 6, 2008 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A good example would be the Bisping Hammil fight. Matt clearly won round 1, giving him 10-9 round. Then Bisping eeked by winning round two, just barely, but now he’s all tied up with Matt on the score card. That right there is what screws fighters, it’s the math, it doesn’t work. You can dominate completely in round one, and even beat the guy down more then he beats you down in rounds two and three put together, but the points screw you.
by Toms Bombs on May 6, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They were talking about that on After the Bell with Couture and Big John about the point system, saying it would be better to have it K-1 rules, where you can give half points to someone who won the round clearly, but didn’t dominate. That would be best, because the math wouldn’t make the fighter lose like it does now.
by Toms Bombs on May 6, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
msg is a must! the garden that is, not the sht in salt
by b.w. on May 6, 2008 4:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“F-U SERRA” Clap clap clap-clap-clap
“F-U SERRA” Clap clap clap-clap-clap
LOL UFC 83 remanents
by swizzcapz on May 6, 2008 6:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hard to believe – I pictured NY being progressive rather than reactive. They are missing out.
by DJ on May 6, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
When, and I mean when, the UFC gets legalized in NY it will be GSP vs. Serra 3 It would only be right for the first card in NY.
by JV on May 6, 2008 8:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s the athletic commissions duty to sanction and oversee athletic events. It’s not the UFC running from regulation like in the old days. These people are refusing to do their jobs. I’ve never seen anything so rediculious. They are supposed to regulate sporting events like these. I can’t believe these people are flat out rufusing to do what they are payed to do!
by DB on May 6, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i just read that its gonna be pedro rizzo vs josh barnett again in california. who do u think would win?
weoweoweo.deviantart.com
by weoweoweo on May 6, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“SOMEONE…should help him..lose his gut”
by NEWFIE-MMA-FAN on May 6, 2008 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
it would be great seeing the UFC in Madison square garden.
by El dirte on May 6, 2008 10:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
they need to get it sanctioned in Vancouver too.
by pitbull on May 6, 2008 11:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Madison square garden is a legendary fight spot. This would be a great place for Serra vs Hughes.
by Ktown on May 7, 2008 12:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
or to hold Serra vs Pierre III like Pierre said he would like to
by Iceberg on May 9, 2008 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thing is New York did legalize AMATURE MMA but not professional MMA. Matt Serra’s East Meadow School is like 2 mins from my house i would love to see him fight in MSG
by Iceberg on May 9, 2008 4:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m in Albany NY where the legislation is up for approval. The Times Union Center is a 5 minute drive from my house, and my dream is to see a LIVE mma event in my hometown before I die!
by gweedo on Jan 23, 2009 8:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
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