Mixed martial arts will now be legal in New York. Lawmakers in the state assembly has approved the legislation which clears the way for MMA to hold events in the city.
The required votes for the passage of the legislation is just 76, but during the final floor voting, it got a high 113 to 25 majority vote. The bill will now be heading to the office of Governor Andrew Cuomo for approval, as per The Guardian.
For the last seven years, the senate have been constantly trying to legalize the sport in New York but former opposition speaker Sheldon Silver always halts the decision. The Bill NoA02604 creates the protocols for the sports which include the application of licenses, penalties and violations and tax due related to the event.
New York is considered to be the last state in the union that bans MMA. In 1997, the sport was still unregulated by the state athletic commission and there have been no unified rules regarding the sport. As reported by MMA Fighting, The New York state athletic commission will have 120 days to create guidelines and regulations that will be imposed to the sport before it can hold its very first event.
The UFC also sent its gratitude, noting that this has been a long time coming. It is thankful to Speaker Heastie, Majority Leader Morelle and all the Democrats and Republicans who joined the assembly, according to The Epoch Times.
But a number of prominent lawmakers opposed the bill and raised concerns regarding the brutality of the sport. Democratic assemblyman, Daniel J O'Donnell of the Upper West Side sees the sport as homophobic, sayin it is a gay porn with a different ending.
Some of the assemblymen, however, acknowledged that even if they are not fond of MMA, they are glad to support it. Bronx Democrat Michael Benedetto said it is a nasty and violent sport but it is just everywhere. Nevertheless, at least they will have a chance to regulate it.
