Legislation to legalize MMA in New York put on hold yet again
by Jesse Holland on Jan 28, 2009 10:31 AM EST
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Tom Petty can pretty much describe how a lot of MMA fans are feeling about the never ending delays that continue to stall legislation aimed at legalizing the sport of mixed martial arts in the state of New York.
The waiting is the hardest part, every day you see one more card. You take it on faith, you take it to the heart, the waiting is the hardest part.
Suffolk County Assemblyman Steven Englebright had introduced a bill last week to New York Legislators aimed at legalizing mixed martial arts in the "Empire State."
The new bill up for consideration includes a three-year "Sunset Clause," which is basically a law with an expiration date. A sunset clause would give legislators an opportunity to study the sport of MMA and gauge its economic and social impact on the state of New York.
The bill would expire after three years unless legislative action is taken to extend it.
MMA is currently unregulated in New York, and appeared to be on the verge of being sanctioned in 2008, but some eleventh-hour concerns from uneducated members of the Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development scuttled its passage.
Another session on the matter began in the state capital on January 7 and was expected to reconvene on February 11.
No longer.
"Budget issues" are expected to monopolize the entire schedule for the immediate future, effectively pushing non-critical items (like MMA sanctioning) to the legislative back burner.
UFC Vice President for Government and Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner and president of the company Dana White have been ratcheting up the economic rhetoric and financial success of its mixed martial events in hopes of using the economic benefits of live shows to influence voters who may be on the fence.
Money talks … and the UFC has the numbers to back it up. An independent economic impact study indicated that the promotion would generate about $11.5 million for the "Big Apple."
Still, it will have an uphill battle so long as detractors like Democratic Assemblyman Bob Reilly, who referred to the sport of MMA as a "glorification of brutality and violence," have their say in the vote.
Now with an obstacle as broad and sweeping as "Budget issues", who can even say when that vote will be.
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new york is a bunch of liberal PUSSIES!! screw this state, we dont need it!
by brendan on Jan 28, 2009 10:36 AM EST reply actions
I don’t care either way.
Does it really matter?
by introvert on Jan 28, 2009 10:42 AM EST reply actions
yes it does if you live in new york, or want MMA to be legitimized in the main stream, Not sure if you heard but new york is a pretty important place as far as entertainment and culture go
by baby_eddie on Jan 28, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
agreed. espn is in bristol,ct and their reporters are very east coast biased. mma can still prosper without ny, but getting legalized in ny is indeed huge for them (the ufc) getting into the mainstream.
by b.w. on Jan 28, 2009 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
b.w. Who you got in the Penn/GSP fight?? I know you lean strongly one way but i cant remember which way thats is bro???
by ( (Adam G) ) on Jan 28, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
i got gsp by 5rnd ud. sorry bro, still love bj, but i like gsp just as well. i’ll be glad when this fight is over and i can go back to rooting for each fighter individually. :)
by b.w. on Jan 28, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
YEA B.W.!!!!! GSP via destruction of the cabbage patch guy! BNF is just gona have to learn the hard way.
by JV on Jan 28, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
this is driving me insane! I live in Philadelphia where mma is also illegal, and I want New York to get sanctioned even more then I want my city to be sanctioned. of course I would go watch a UFC fight if it were in philly, but i would much rather prefer driving to NY to see it. philly has the harshest fans in the world, and It would drive me crazay to watch a fight here and hearing our ignorant fans boo the ground game!
by john on Jan 28, 2009 10:45 AM EST reply actions
Yeah, I know but the UFC rarely comes to Jersey and when they do they give us a crappy card. Last time the UFC went to Jersey was that watered down main event between bisping vs. Rashad at UFC 78. THe time before that the main event was Arlovski vs. Buentello!
by john on Jan 28, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
This is Bull Crap! what is wrong with these people.. how voted for them.. that Reilly cat gets me tight.. with his MMA is promotes violence crap.. one of our fellow maniacs " Killer ".. said it best.
Boxing in New York = Legal
KickBoxing in New York = Legal
Wrestling in New Yrok = Legal
JiuJitsu in New York = Legal
Muay Thai in New York = Legal
Judo in New York = Legal
MMA in New York = ???? is not?
by PhilQNY on Jan 28, 2009 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
PHILQNY; good stuff! it’s unbelievable the double standards ny has for “contact sports”.
by b.w. on Jan 28, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
phil: I am having a hard timing finding out when ADCC 2009 is, and what venue in New YOrk it will take place at…How can I find this info? Can u point me in the right direction?
by john on Jan 28, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
On the Gracie Mag website I could only pin point that it’s going to be in Manhattan. but for now I don’t have an exact address.
by PhilQNY on Jan 28, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
what about the date? what month? Fedor, arona, and MOusasi are all confirmed! We gotta be there Phil!
by john on Jan 28, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
John.. Iwould assume between April and May..but sure enough we will all find out in due time.
by PhilQNY on Jan 28, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
Hockey (bare-knuckle scraps, hard surface) = Legal
by Pat on Jan 28, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
The funny part Phil is that all the disciplines that you mentioned to be legal are just a combination of mma, yet mma is illegal? Educate yourselves on the sport you Fukin Legislative Fuks!
by john on Jan 28, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
Brotha I know.. + I’m looking into the ADCC for us!
by PhilQNY on Jan 28, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
Just send these guys some hookers, they seem to be into them.
by El Mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on Jan 28, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
What is Bob Reilly going to say when people cant pay their taxes the crime and murder rates climb in the big apple? We can sanction boxing and send 18 year old teenagers to war but cant allow skilled, MMA athletes to make a living??? Dude, the TARP package was glorified rape to the tax payer. Perhaps you should allow a proven economic stimulus work with the “sunset clause” before you pull the plug. BJ Penn has more common sense than this guy…
by TapedUpPair on Jan 28, 2009 10:45 AM EST reply actions
They are just shooting themselves in teh foot. They need money MMA would bring in money but they don’t have time for it. I am sure the UFC would do 2 or 3 shows a year in NYC or some of the other cities in NY due to the large media market and free advertising they would get being so close to all of the major news networks
by staples on Jan 28, 2009 10:50 AM EST reply actions
new yory new york, it’s a hell of a town. they welcome hockey fights and pay players 21 million to not even play (marbury) but when it comes to mma…..no thanks?
who cares is right. the arena’s are selling out where ever the ufc goes everywhere else, let new york just sit there.
by tonydanza on Jan 28, 2009 10:52 AM EST reply actions
TEAM PENN!!!
1. ( (Adam G) ) : Via UD, 49-46, "Penn takes Rnd’s 1-4. IF GSP can survive the first 7 min!! BJ BJ BJ!!!"
2. pUniSHment : Via TKO due to strikes, 3rd Rnd. BJ BJ BJ!!!
3. The Anomaly : “Penn wins on the feet To GnP To SUB soon thereafter ala Penn/Stevenson!”
4. -utapout-…"The Prodigy’s" 4th Biggest Hugger : Via "I F*CKING TOLD YOU SO!"
5. John : Via TKO, 2nd Rnd. BJ BJ BJ!!!
6. Violent Mike : Via "SUB/TKO due to strikes, 1st Rnd, BJ BJ BJ!!!"
7. BNF : Via?
8. OJR : Via?
9. Chefdaddy : Via?
10. WESTSIDE/OHAU : Via?
11. Kevin : Via?
12. Kdog : Via?
13. Crowls : Via?
14. fokman : Via Triangle choke, 3rd Rnd.
15. Mathew : "I’m Hopen, Wishing and Dreaming."
16. El Mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner : "I’m Hopen, Wishing and Dreaming."
17. MikeyBear2009 : Via Unanimous Decision.
18. revjames13 : Via "Early destruction, shock and awe styleee!! BJ BJ BJ!!!"
19. Rubbergaurd : Via?
20. haglenuts : Via ?
21. Pretty boy : Via?
22. Syd[a.k.a. "The Negation"] : Via?
23. masters : Via?
24. Slovak : Via a Finish, 3rd Rnd.
25. Ktown :Via?
26. SoCalStunNa : "My heart is with BJ."
27. Synyster[[2009 Year Of Gegard Mousasi]] : Via TKO, 3rd or 4th Rnd. “BJ BJ BJ!!!”
28. Jmas : Via SUB, 2nd Rnd.
29. Scott (with the BLUE screen name) : Via TKO, 2nd Rnd.
30. xxBAxx816 : Via TKO, 1st Rnd.
31. Cromzinc : Via RNC, 2nd Rnd.
32. Jared : Via “Hes a bad *ss!” “WARR PENNN!”
33. TheEder : Via “kicking the sh*t outta GSP!!”
34. Jesse (My Son) : Via KO, 1st Rnd. "That’s a bad man! BJ BJ BJ!!!!"
35. Richard Sr. (My Grandfather) : Via UD, 48-47, "BJ gets Rnd’s 1-3 for the Win. BJ BJ BJ!!!"
36. Urijah Faber (Former WEC FTWT Champ) : Via "The Mental edge"
37. “Kid” Yamamoto : Via Decision.
38. Coal Uno (Fought BJ twice, to a KO Loss and a Draw) : Via KO, 2nd Rnd.
39. Robbie Lawler (Former EliteXC MLWT Champ) : Via KO, 2nd Rnd.
40. Jens Pulver (Former UFC LTWT Champ) : Via "Jab to death."
41. Tito Ortiz (Former UFC LHWT Champ) : Always has a Penn T-shirt with him! Nuthugger! = )
42. Jamie Varner (Current WEC LTWT Champ) : Via "The force that is BJ Penn, at any weight class."
TEAM RUSH!!!
1. GORD : Via???
2. JV : Via "What ever he wants! GSP GSP GSP!!!"
3. Nathan : Via RNC, 3rd Rnd.
4. McArthur : Via Decision. GSP GSP GSP!!!
5. Hardcharger : Via?
6. Jet99 : Via TKO, 4th Rnd.
7. PJJ : Via?
8. GodDamnMike : Via?
9. LJ : Via Tittie Twister.
10. Natural Shadow : Via?
11. MikeD : Via?
12. NameNotRequired : Via?
13. Stevo : Via?
14. Punch You In The Ovaries : Via?
15. Introvert : Via Unanimous Decision, 48-47.
16. TapedUpPair : Via "Humbling asphyxiation! GSP GSP GSP!!!"
17. Randy Murders : Via?
18. Spyder : Via?
19. SilasM : Via?
20. holyintellect : Via?
21. FoamDome : Via?
22. Jay : Via?
23. MM_Eh : Via?
24. day1er : Via TKO due to GnP and a "reality check like he was crucifixed" 3rd Rnd.
25. Shadyone33 : Via?
26. Scott : Via?
27. Beaver Via?
28. ehoglund : Via TKO due to GnP, 4th or 5th Rnd. "But I wanna see a war!"
29. See What Had Happened Was : Via?
30. Lester The Pimp : Via Decision.
31. BMO : Via "GSP has it in the bag.!" "GSP GSP GSP!!!"
32. Pete Dog : Via Decision.
33. DJ : Via "Clear cut, dominating, convincing, 5th Rnd UD. GSP GSP GSP!!!"
34. Andrew : Via?35. horny for MMA : Via Split Decision.
36. enzo-enormous : Via?
37. Branden : Via?
38. Richard (My Dad) : Via Arm Bar, 4th Rnd. “WARR GSPPP!!!”
39. Anthony (with the BLUE screen name) : Via?
40. Kory : Via?
41. Pancake Head : Via?
42. HellaHectic : Via "He wins just by showing up"
43. Deadgrassinyard : Via TKO due to strikes, 3rd Rnd.
44. ACanadianPotHead : Via KO, Head kick, 4th Rnd.
45. JoW : Via TKO due to GnP, 3rd Rnd.
46. Jake : Via "BJ getting owned by GSP! GSP! GSP GSP GSP!!!"
47. matt king : Via TKO due to strikes, Rnd.
48. Jakob : Via? “GSP! GSP! GSP!”
49. Hero-Of-Time : Via a Finish, 4th Rnd.
50. Choke_Him : Via TKO, 4th Rnd.
51. Jake : Via TKO due to GnP, 4th Rnd.
52. rydinlow : TKO due to GnP, 3rd Rnd.
53. Randy Couture (5 Time LHWT/HVWT UFC Champ) : "At that weight class, at 170, I like Georges."
54. “Bang” Ludwig (That guy BJ subbed in a minute) : "I got GSP in later rounds., cause I’m bitter!"
55. Mike Brown (Current WEC FTWT Champ) : Via Unanimous Decision.
by ( (Adam G) ) on Jan 28, 2009 10:55 AM EST reply actions
yo get me on that rush list asap!
i got gsp via 3rd round tko.
gsp gsp gsp!!!
by stinky~fingers on Jan 28, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
There’s a good article up on UFC.com interviewing Serra, Sherk, and Hughes, who have all fought both BJ and GSP. All three of them seem to agree with me that if it ends early it’s all BJ if it goes the distance GSP has it. I’m still leaning toward GSP by UD.
by DB on Jan 28, 2009 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
“Agree with you” Thats the most common prediction for this fight LoL!!! Thats what everyone wants to say!! Its pretty much what i said “Decision IF GSP can survivie the first 7 minutes.”
by ( (Adam G) ) on Jan 28, 2009 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
Got ya DB and baby_eddie, the current count is 43 BJ Penn and 60 GSP!!!! Keep ’em coming fellas, and fill in YOUR missing “HOWS” ie; Via What!??? And ill add it to your prediction for you, 3 days suckas!!!! BJ BJ BJ!!!!!!!!!!
by ( (Adam G) ) on Jan 28, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
Adam G,
What no love. I got GSP, via strikes in the 4th.
by Jeff on Jan 28, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
Wow. You are giving alot of credit to GSP’s arsenal…
by OJR on Jan 28, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
Cant wait to rub it in all these faces!!! BJ BJ BJ!!!
by ( (Adam G) ) on Jan 28, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
GSP via 5th round TKO after taking 3 of the first 4 rounds.
by Pat on Jan 28, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
Time to forget about New York, and move on to legalizing MMA Events in Toronto. Montreal is a little too far for me to travel from Calgary, but if it was in Toronto, I would definately make the trip.
by QM on Jan 28, 2009 1:11 PM EST reply actions
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