New York set to vote on mixed martial arts on June 3
by Adam Wagner on May 20, 2009 11:25 PM EDT
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A date has finally been set for the highly anticipated matchup between MMA and New York. The New York State Assembly’s Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports has selected June 3 to debate and vote on bill 2009-B, the little engine that could regulate the sport of mixed martial arts in the "Empire State," according to MMAWeekly.
Fighting out of the good guys’ corner will be Assemblyman Jonathan Bing, a Democrat representing New York county. He’ll present the arguments in favor of the bill.
The goon in the room will be Assemblyman Bob Reilly, a Democrat representing Albany and Saratoga counties. He opposes the bill (along with all things good and holy), and recently outlined his arguments against legalizing the sport to committee members.
The bill would need 11 votes (out of 21 committee members) to pass out of committee, where it would then go to the Codes Committee (for bills with legal implications), followed by the Ways and Means Committee (for bills with fiscal implications). If the bill passes votes in each committee, it would then head to the Assembly floor for a general vote.
And then there’s the Senate, where a companion bill is currently facing the Cultural Affairs Committee. And that is how a bill becomes a law … in New York.
Along with Englebright and Bing, Assemblyman Rob Walker has been listed as a supporter. Proponents have two weeks to drum up support to earn at least eight more votes.
Keep your fingers crossed ...
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Bing should ground n’ pound Reilly on the floor of the Senate until he taps and signs the damned bill.
by Jeremyjackson on May 20, 2009 11:30 PM EDT reply actions
I bet anything douchebag reilly finds a way to ruin this. My expectations couldn’t be any lower for this thing. If it’s approved there, though i just hope that NY isn’t a $hithy commission $hit like vancouver, florida and california. It’s headed by a former boxing person (Melvina or something) so my expectations there are also low.
by NameNotRequired on May 20, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
This is just a freaking Joke. Sometrhing like 37 states have approved mma….who the hell does New York think they are to ban the fastest growing sport in America! Douchebags need to hurry up and pass the bill so Affliction can bring Fedor to the garden!
by john on May 21, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I like Affliction cuz it MMA but its a joke how they run it…c’mon they use all the same fighters in the events mix it up a lil ya know?
by Hispanic Panic on May 21, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I sure hope that the bill pass this time…!
BTW we are about to make the first step in Canada to bring the UFC to Toronto!
Canada is about to decriminalize judo and karate!If this vote passes,it means that we can expect a UFC in Toronto within two years! And it would remove the principle objection!
by Alpha Male 360 on May 20, 2009 11:39 PM EDT reply actions
sounds good maybe the ufc will come to sault ste. marie
by Clinton Jackson (formerly Jared) on May 20, 2009 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
im being sarcastic lmao
by Clinton Jackson (formerly Jared) on May 21, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions
ahhh the Sault…..spent a week there one night
by McArthur on May 21, 2009 7:25 AM EDT up reply actions
As someone who lives in NY i am really hoping the ufc gets approved here. God forbid we have some good sports going on at madison square garden instead of the same loser knicks every year.
I recently saw an interview of bob reily on he fox fights news and he comes off as completely misinformed about the sport. He knows very little about he ufc and the injuries to fighters and actually contests that boxing is safer than mma which is just absurd. Even John McCain who at one time opposed mma has agreed that with the new rules in place he’s ok with it. Bob Reily is just someone who lives in the past and doesn’t understand mma and refuses to be educated on it. Amazing that politicians, who’s job it is to be informed and non-judmental are the most mis-informed and most judgemental. Thats what happens when these 60-80 year old farts get in office and now nothing about whats going on in modern day.
by bobby o'shea on May 21, 2009 2:26 AM EDT reply actions
Everyone is gonna hate me for saying this but mma is as violent as it gets. The bigger the sport gets the more I see ignorant kids wearing tapout shirts acting tough and trying to fight ppl! As a fan and a fighter I would vote yes because its legal almost everywhere else. The fact is no matter how we try to sugar coat mma with the rules have changed is safer its still two men trying to knock each other unconscious or break a limb or choke out. That is as violent as it gets between two men without weapons. Training for nearly 4 years now made me love the sport for making me learn how to defend myself and being socially confident no matter who is around but I also hate it. Any real fighter will tell you fighting sucks. The whole time you are doing it its nerve wrecking winning is the best feeling in the world but losing is heartbreaking. Yeah dana will tell fans all they need to hear but he is rich he doesnt need to train his ass off and fight for 3 grand! Joe rogan a bad mofo who could of probably been champ at the ufc and im sure he would tell you off the record if he trusted you that if you are smart try to pick a different career than mma unless you are already involved and can get good fights for good cash! Ifdana paid fighters something even close to what boxers get then maybe uneducated ppl who normally wouldn’t give the sport a chance would consider learning more about it before making judgement. Money makes the world go round. Thats why boxing gets more mainstream respect pl respect ppl with money. I cant tell a 45 year old woman who is a boxing fan hey keith jardine got sent to the hospital after the fight he only made 3k and expect her to want to know more when de la hoya made millions for losing to mayweather who also made millions in one fight. non educated ppl find it hard to understand the thrill and sense of achievement of beating another trained fighter in the ultimate competition. With that said goodluck I hope its passed
by El Paladin on May 21, 2009 4:30 AM EDT reply actions
Hopefully their first stop in NY State will be Buffalo….haha…hour and a half away from me
by McArthur on May 21, 2009 7:26 AM EDT reply actions
Not only do I live in NY, I live 10 blocks from Madison Square Garden! After traveling around the country for the past 5 years seeing UFC events, it would nice to walk to one!
by ducknow on May 21, 2009 9:11 AM EDT reply actions
There is worse things happening in New York City!….How would MMA hurt it? Maybe this would be an inspiration to young kids in that city….Im not saying the city is bad its a beautiful wonderful city but I just dont think MMA would hurt anybody there…so c’mon sign the bill please!!!
by Hispanic Panic on May 21, 2009 1:52 PM EDT reply actions
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