Marc Ratner Doesn't Think New York Will Lift the Ban This Year

NEW YORK

Time in this year's legislative session is quickly running out, and with those disappearing sands in the lawmaking hourglass go the chances of the State Assembly putting a stamp of approval on their half of the bill that would lift the ban on pro MMA in New York. (If you'll recall, the Senate approved their half just a few week ago.)

This has Marc Ratner thinking the law won't change this year. As per MMAJunkie:

UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner told MMAjunkie Radio that while he is cautiously optimistic of a break in the stalemate that’s kept professional MMA out of New York, he doesn’t expect this year’s legalization bills to pass.

“It’s never made it to the floor; I would say it will not make it to the floor again (this year),” Ratner said this past Friday.

...

“I’m always cautiously optimistic,” he said. “But right now, I feel like the handwriting is in big block letters on the wall and we’re not going to get it done this year.”

This is, of course, a bummer. But there's still the Zuffa vs. New York lawsuit, which is still in play and could change the landscape radically. And we can't forget the amateur shows - am I right?