Thursday, June 19, 2008

New York State Puts MMA Bill on Backburner in Favor of More Underground Shows

Taking a stand against the sanctioned MMA bouts that New Jersey, Nevada, California and others have embraced, the legislature in New York yesterday moved to the backburner the bill that would have allowed professional incarnations of the sport back into the state - a move that paves the way for more underground shows until the next legislative session in January. Why has the Empire State thus far resisted Zuffa's efforts to lobby for a lift on the pro MMA ban? "We're not ready to accept the economic benefits mixed martial arts events would bring," said Assembly page Alvin Kringle. "A UFC or an EliteXC or even a Ring of Combat would bring too much revenue to Madison Square Garden and various other venues, and it would create too many jobs within the Athletic Commission. Quite frankly, New York just isn't ready for the extra money."