Closing the Gap: A Five-Point Plan to Get Pro MMA Legalized in New York

NEW YORK

It’s 2014 and, for the fifth year in a row, the State Senate approved its version of the bill that would lift the ban on pro MMA while the Assembly let its version die.

This can be attributed to a number of reasons, such as:

• Adverse influence on legislators from representatives of the Culinary Union.
• Legislators wielding misinformed or prejudicial opinions of the sport.
• Institutional indifference and apathy.
• Lack of effective mobilization of voter base.

While efforts thus far to get all of Zuffa’s lobbying ducks in a row have brought us close, it’s clear something more needs to be done. But what?

Victory at Madison Square Garden Poster

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A Four-Second KO in All Its Glory

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Rochester, N.Y. is a heck of a hike from New York City, but if I had a crystal ball and knew ahead of time that someone was going to score a four-second knockout at the Caged Chaos event held up there on Saturday, I probably would've made the trip. Behold, Cory Nieman's amateur MMA debut - I'd say it went well, yes?

Cage Wars 28 Poster

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MMA Platinum Gloves 7 Poster

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Aggressive Combat Championship 9 Poster

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Despite Officiating Snafus, ECF's Rage in the Cage Delivers

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It was a bumpy ride at times, but Extreme Cage Fighting's "Rage in the Cage" - which packed the Mellrose Ballroom in Astoria with rabid fight fans on Saturday night - ultimately delivered the goods.

Featuring a whopping 17 bouts of the grappling-, kickboxing- and MMA variety, the mammoth card saw all manner of action play out - not the least of which was Meredith Connelly's one-sided beating of a game but over-matched Shannon Grager.

ECF Rage in the Cage: Body-Blow TKO

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ECF Rage in the Cage: Girl Fight

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Reason Number One to Come to Queens Tomorrow: ECF "Rage in the Cage"

NEW YORK

Believe me, there are fewer greater joys in life than being able to check out a fight show that's within walking distance from your house - which is the case with tomorrow evening's ECF "Rage in the Cage" event, set for a nightclub/event space in Astoria and promising a variety of bouts ranging from MMA to K-1 kickboxing and Muay Thai.

Another Video From Saturday's ACC 8

NEW YORK

Kai Next Level Martial Arts in Queens has been producing some top-notch fighters (see: ACC champ Kat Morales), and at Saturday's Aggressive Combat Championship 8, another one of their reps was kicking ass and taking names.

Watch the video and you'll see Eric Taylor use a smooth ground game to tie his opponent in knots before tapping him out.

A Peek at What You Missed From Aggressive Combat Championships 8

NEW YORK

I can't go to every event, but thanks to the evolution of Internet-broadcasting technology, I don't have to. Here's some of what you and I missed at this past Saturday's Aggressive Combat Championship 8, which took place at the York College Arena in Jamaica, Queens.

Watch. Enjoy. And get a sneak peek at the area's future stars of the cage.

Aggressive Combat Championships 8 Bout Sheet

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Best of the Best Throwdown Poster

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Pennsylvania Promoters in a Legal Kerfluffle

PENNSYLVANIA

It seems that no matter where you go, there are always promoters who don't get along. Such is the case in Pennsylvania, where one promoter has filed suit in federal court saying he's been unfairly shut out of the lucrative market there.

Here's the Pennsylvania Record with the deets:

The Best of Aggressive Combat Championships

NEW YORK

Aggressive Combat Championship 8 is set to go down this weekend at York College Arena in Jamaica, Queens, and as usual, some of the top MMA teams in New York will be clashing in the cage. From Tiger Schulmann MMA and Kai Next Level Martial Arts to Striking 101 and Bellmore Kickboxing, ACC 8 will have them all - and take my word for it, there's nothing more entertaining than sitting among hundreds of screaming spectators rooting for their boy (or girl).

In the spirit of hyping this event, here are three blasts from the past. Check them out and you'll have a good idea of what to expect on Saturday night.

Fall Brawl 5 Poster

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More Videos From NYFE 4

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New York Fight Exchange 4 saw some thrilling contests play out in the cage on Saturday - not the least of which where the prolonged battles fought between a bunch of guys who seemingly had no quit in them.

Jungle Gym Shines at NYFE 4

NEW YORK

It was a good night to be a part of the Jungle Gym tribe at Saturday night's New York Fight Exchange 4 event.

Before packed house at the Amazura Nightclub in Jamaica, Queens, Jungle Gym reps Paul Grant and Daniel Rodriguez battled their hearts out against two ultra-tough fighters from the Long Island MMA team - and after three hard-fought rounds, Grant and Rodriguez came away with wins.

NYFE 4: Rob Scotti vs. Hillel Dombroff

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