By Carla Varriale of Havkins Rosenfeld Ritzert & Varriale
Mixed martial arts (“MMA”) is one step closer to legalization in New York after the State Senate voted to permit single discipline MMA competitions in New York State. Bill S.2755 has been sent to the Assembly for a vote. The bill allows single discipline MMA organizations to hold professional competitions in the state and gives the state Athletic Commission jurisdiction to regulate professional MMA bouts. There have been no MMA bouts held in New York since the sport was banned more than a decade ago.
New York is one of a handful of states that do not allow MMA bouts. Forty-seven states, including the neighboring state of New Jersey, embrace the sport—a fact that has not been lost on both proponents of sanctioning the sport and legislators. MMA bouts held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and other venues that are accessible from New York have siphoned fans, and much-needed revenue, from New York. In fact, the sponsor of the bill, Sen. Joseph Griffo-R Rome, has observed that allowing MMA bouts in New York would create jobs and stimulate New York’s ailing economy.
The next step for the bill, and the fate of recognition of MMA in New York, is a vote in the Assembly. Fans, promoters and even legislators are waiting to see if after that vote MMA can get off the mat and make a comeback.
