Bill to Sanction MMA in New York Passes Senate Vote; On to the Assembly

Professional mixed martial arts in New York came one step closer to legalization on Wednesday when the New York Senate passed S.2755, which would authorize the New York State Athletic Commission to add MMA to the list of contact sports that may hold matches and exhibitions in New York.

The bill passed on a 47-14 vote.

The real hurdle has yet to be faced, however, as most supporters expected the bill to make it out of the Senate. The question now is if it will even make it to the floor for a vote in the Assembly, which is where the bill has died on past efforts.

UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and several other UFC representatives, including fighters like Chris Weidman and Ronda Rousey, were at the State Capitol lobbying for the bill’s passage.

“New York State’s time has come,” said Fertitta last week when the bill made it out of committee. “We are confident that 2013 is the year that the Empire State joins 48 other states in legalizing MMA.

“I want to thank Senator Griffo and the other cosponsors of the legislation for their leadership and Senator Little and the other members of the committee for their support.”

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