This past weekend Bouncer Chronicles was watching the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)159 between Chael Sonnen and Jon Jones at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. I’m somewhat perplexed! Why are we still fighting over legalizing Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the Empire State?

Dana White recently discussed the failure of New York to pass a bill regulating MMA. The bill soared through the NY State Senate by a 47-14 vote and has received positive reviews from Governor Andrew Cuomo. Unfortunately it has been rejected the last 4 years in the State Assembly.

Cuomo told a upstate capital pressroom radio show we should take MMA “seriously” if it promises “significant economic potential” for the state. The UFC is by far the largest MMA promotional organization. According to some experts, professional matches could generate more than $100 million dollars in economic activity for New York in the first two years!

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) believes MMA will be legalized at some point in New York but seemed unmoved by the revenue estimates. He feels MMA will only bring in $2-5 million for the state.

White was asked how he feels in regards to the potential of MMA legalization in the Big Apple. “The biggest way you say f___ you to the politicians in New York is you don’t have a show in New York. Are they hurting my business one bit? No!”