The Ultimate Fighting Championships has long had its sights set on mixed martial arts legalization in New York state, the only state left with a ban of the sport on its books. But due to a couple of angry unions and an obstinate former Assembly Speaker in Sheldon Silver, MMA law reform has failed to pass through all the political hurdles necessary for the past five years.
Yep, the UFC has been pleading it’s case and lobbying hard for five years now. But every year, legislation to legalize MMA failed to make it to a final vote on the Assembly floor before lawmakers left for the year, resetting the entire process. The UFC has launched numerous lawsuits on a state and federal level, with the latest coming just this past September.
But now it sounds like they’re sick of waiting and are going to force a showdown with New York lawmakers and the courts. Via the New York Post:
The UFC is going through with plans to hold its first event at Madison Square Garden on April 23 with the main event featuring former light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones trying to get his title back from current champion Daniel Cormier.
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“We’re hopeful this year might be the year,” Fertitta said. “I know we’ve said that many times. But we’re hopeful the bill will not only be introduced for a vote this year, but it will happen early in the session.”If professional MMA is not legalized by the Assembly in time to begin promoting the April event, the UFC will seek a preliminary injunction against New York from enforcing its “unconstitutional” law.
“Hopefully, there will be a decision on it by the middle of January,” Fertitta said.
Jon Jones is from New York and his return to the UFC after being stripped of the title is likely to be the biggest fight for the UFC coming into 2016. His original fight with Daniel Cormier caught the attention of fans after the two engaged in a very public brawl during a promotional appearance and footage of Jones taunting Cormier afterwards leaked to the public.
Jones defeated Cormier, but Cormier made it harder on the champ than most challengers. Then Jon drove through a red light into a pregnant woman’s car after a late night partying session and fled the scene. The UFC took his belt away while he dealt with numerous charges in court, eventually ending up with parole and community service. In the meantime, Cormier won the vacant light heavyweight strap, setting up a huge rematch.
Will it go down in New York City? Or will the UFC have to move the event back to their homebase in Las Vegas after another crushing legal defeat in the state? It’s a battle every bit as interesting as the title fight the event will feature, and the next steps are set to go down over January as the Assembly schedules bills and the UFC prepares a potential injunction.