Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver may be ready to tap out over his long running battle to block professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in New York State.

Silver, a Democrat, said this week he sees legalization of ultimate fighting as a professional sport in New York. “At some point there probably will be an approval in this state,” Silver told reporters. A bill to legalize the controversial sport passed the State Senate as it has passed the last three years. The Silver controlled assembly has always remained the sticking point.

Dana White and officials from the Ultimate Fighting Championship have lobbied New York state lawmakers for years to lift the ban on MMA. On hand to lobby the Assembly was bantam weight champ and Olympic Judo bronze medalist Ronda Rousey. She said “It is no coincidence that all of those opposed to Mix Martial Arts are the least educated on the sport itself.”

UFC chairman Lorenzo Fertitta noted 48 other states have already legalized ultimate fighting. He claimed more New Yorkers watch the UFC events on pay per view than residents of any other state.

Silver’S choice for majority leader, Rochester Democrat Jospeh Morelle, has long been in favor of passing a bill for legalization of MMA. Silver still personally disapproves of the sport but acknowledged it could generate millions of dollars in revenue for the state.

Bouncer Chronicles sources state if the bill passes the UFC plans to host its first MMA fight in Madison Square Garden during Super Bowl weekend in February 2014!