Saturday, March 22, 2014

New York State Senate Bill Tackles Amateur MMA... Sort Of

NEW YORK


Amateur MMA competitions are turning into big business in New York State, with 2013 seeing close to 50 such events happening compared to 24 the year before (and seven the year before that). However, thanks to how the combative sports law is written, amateur MMA - while legal - is completely unregulated by the State. If State Senator Timothy Kennedy (63rd District) has his way, that won't be for long.

The bill Senator Kennedy has introduced is S06795, and it proposes the regulation of amateur martial arts (not just MMA). Here are the salient points of the proposed legislation:

Flashback: Chris Weidman Day

NEW YORK


What do you get if you win the UFC middleweight belt in dramatic fashion? If you're Long Island native Chris Weidman, you get a day named after you by local politicians. Here's a look back at Chris Weidman Day, which was made official on July 17, 2013. Note Weidman's teammate Al Iaquinta, who's stuck wearing a suit and tie.

Flashback: Bellator 95

BELLATOR


It's always a joy when Bellator comes to Atlantic City - if for no other reason than it gives a bunch of local fighters an opportunity to fight on television. Anyway, here's a flashback to their April 4, 2013 show, which took place at the Revel Casino.