The Fight between MMA and New York State Is Far from Over

By Carla Varriale   The sport of mixed martial arts (“MMA”) is no stranger to controversy, particularly in New York. New York remains the lone state where professional MMA bouts are illegal. Amateur MMA, conversely, is legal but not subject to regulation. Banned since 1997 (when the sport was markedly different and lacked many safety requirements that are present today), MMA supporters have unsuccessfully tried for the past five years to lift the ban through the legislative process. Whi