Thursday, January 6, 2011

NYC Kickboxing Promotion to Give MMA a Try... In Vermont

On February 25, Friday Night Fights, one of New York City's preeminent kickboxing promotions, will be trying its hand at mixed martial arts.  But unlike previous shows, which have taken place in such subway-accessible venues as Pace University and the basement of the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, this one is going to require some travel.  Playing host to FNF's first installment of cagefighting is the Burlington Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont - yes, Vermont, the state where New Yorkers go to ski and get blocks of cheddar cheese.  However, Vermont is also the state New Yorkers have been trekking to for some non-New Jersey-flavored MMA, and more than a few underground veterans have been driving up there to throw down.  Is this some sort of promoting test run in preparation for when New York finally sanctions the sport?  Probably, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.  When the ban is lifted here, FNF is going to be one of a handful of established New York-based organizations with all the pieces in place for cranking out decent MMA shows.  There's nothing wrong with FNF being ready.