Ring of Combat 50 Is Tonight

NEW JERSEY

Here's the line up. Looks like I'm Fighting 9th this Friday. See you guys in Atlantic City. #ROC50

A photo posted by @phillipenover on Jan 21, 2015 at 8:57am PST

New York State Assembly MMA Bill Scorecard

NEW YORK

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is in cuffs, and the possibility of him getting the boot and a replacement being chosen could mean no more impasse when it comes to getting the MMA bill to the floor for a vote. But who would be his successor and would they be in favor of lifting the ban on the sport in New York? At this point, it's impossible to predict who could assume the role of Speaker, as the process could involve some Game of Thrones-esque power grabbing and bloodletting. However, thanks to hindsight, we can tell who in the Assembly supported MMA bills in the past. And here's the list!

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to Be Arrested on Corruption Charges Today

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Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver - widely credited as the man who is keeping any and all MMA bills from getting a floor vote in the State Assembly - is expected to be arrested on corruption charges today. The charges stem from an investigation conducted by federal authorities on Speaker Silver's finances. Here's the New York Times with the skinny:

MMA Platinum Gloves Poster

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Battle in the Ballroom Poster

NEW JERSEY

Out for Blood Kickboxing Poster

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Underground Boxing in the Bronx, Because Why Not?

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I'm not much of a boxing fan, but I couldn't resist posting this one. Obviously, it's an "underground" event, but the crowd is pretty sizable and into it. It looks like many of the countless unsanctioned MMA events I've covered, minus the sloppy takedowns.

Assemblyman Asks New York Governor to Legalize MMA Through the Backdoor

NEW YORK

Assemblyman Dean Murray has long been a friend to the MMA movement here in New York, and yesterday, that friendship manifested itself in the form of an open letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo requesting that he include the legalization of the sport in his 2015 Executive Budget Proposal.

Cage Fury Fighting Championship 45 Poster

NEW JERSEY

A Shakeup at the New York State Athletic Commission and What it Means for the Sport

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Longtime New York State Athletic Commission Chairperson Melvina Lathan was ousted today, and named as her replacement was Thomas Hoover, whose resume includes a stint running the boxing program for the Oneida Indian Nation in Upstate New York. It's unclear at this point where Commissioner Hoover stands on MMA, but the sport is certainly losing an ally with Commissioner Lathan's departure.

Watch a Kung Fu Master Get Smoked in Chinatown

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You know what probably sucks? Touting yourself as a master of kung fu, throwing down in a very public challenge match, getting creamed, and having the video disseminated across YouTube like the secret recipe to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Such was the case with Sifu Sharif Bey, who is based out of Syracuse and is a proponent of a particular style of kung fu called Hung Gar. Last month, Sifu Bey found himself taking on some guy wearing MMA gloves at the pavilion in Chinatown's Columbus Park - a spot where kung fu practitioners often meet to train and test themselves - and, well, let's just say that Sifu Bey got the worst of it.

Here's the video:

Combat at the Capitale Poster

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The 2015 Guide to MMA in New York

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If 2015 ends up being anything like 2014, then the New York MMA scene is going to be rich, vibrant and full of growth... and there will be about one thousand mainstream reporters, podcasters, radio broadcasters, TV producers and Columbia University School of Journalism students reaching out to me for some insight on it. So here is a handy-dandy guide to the scene, complete with info on the efforts to get pro MMA legalized, the key players in government, the promoters who've carved out their respective niches, and even some fighters to keep an eye on. Because what kind of journalist would I be if I didn't keep you informed? (Answer: a crappy one.)

Amateur Champ Marcus Surin Wins Pro Debut

AWESOME

(Photo courtesy of Rafca Mercilus.)

The New York amateur MMA scene lost one of its more prominent champs on Saturday night, as Victory Combat Sports lightweight king Marcus Surin took the professional fighting plunge at a Reality Fighting installment at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Surin, the epitome of an ace grappler, won via rear naked choke - likely the first of many such victories to come.

It is a sad truth that all top amateur fighters will inevitably graduate to bigger and better things, but there is some upside to New York City losing one of its best: NOW A NEW KING MUST BE CHOSEN.

Five New York MMA Championship Bouts From 2014

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Now that we're officially cruising into 2015, we can look back at 2014 and reflect upon the year that was for the New York MMA scene. Was the law finally changed that would allow pro iterations of the sport back into the state? Hell no, but in terms of amateur fights, New York saw some huge growth and maturity.

To celebrate that, here are five title fights that occurred throughout the year in various promotions' cages. Note: this isn't a ranking of which were the best ones. This is just a walk down memory lane.

Yet Another NYFE 5 Poster

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New York Fight Exchange 5 Poster

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Because If You Ain't Wing Chun-ing in Central Park, You Might As Well Go Home

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Wing Chun versus Tae Kwon Do in Central Park - presented without comment:

Grapple at the Garden: Don't Mess With the Wrestlers

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Rule #1: Don't mess with wrestlers.

Rule #2: See Rule #1.

These rules were in full effect at the Team Renzo vs. Team Warren clash at Sunday's Grapple at the Garden, which saw teams fielded by Renzo Gracie and Bellator champ Joe Warren go at it on a mat laid down in the center of the arena at Madison Square Garden.

Grapple at the Garden: King Mo vs. Rolles Gracie

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