Bill legalizing MMA fighting once again clears Senate
By Matthew Dondiego
A bill legalizing professional mixed martial arts has passed the state Senate for the fifth year in a row.
The legislation (S.6502/A.8775), sponsored by Rome Republican Sen. Joe Griffo, passed easily, with 43 votes in favor of regulating and allowing mixed martial arts fighters to compete at the professional level.
"We once again thank the state Senate – Democrats and Republicans – for giving overwhelming approval to legislation to legalize and regulate MMA in New York state, the last place in North America where professional MMA remains illegal, said Lorenzo Fertitta, chairman and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the sport's leading mixed martial arts promoter. "The attention turns yet again to the Assembly. Hopefully the Assembly will finally recognize that enacting this law is the right thing for the millions of fans, the right thing for ensuring the safety of amateur and professional MMA athletes, the right thing for tourism and economic development, the right thing for the arenas and the union jobs they provide."
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-05-19-87982.113122-Bill-legalizing-MMA-fighting-once-again-clears-Senate.html
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