NEW YORK STATE assembly has today voted overwhelmingly in favour of opening its doors to mixed martial arts.
Since 1997, New York had been the only one of the 50 United States which refused to legally sanction MMA bouts and the sport went elsewhere with marquee events.
Led by majority leader Joseph D Morelle, the bill returned to the floor today for a lengthy debate that eventually yielded a landslide victory of 113 votes to 25.
Many of the bill’s opponents pointed to the dangers of concussion and the possibility of inciting violence, particularly domestic violence.
“I appreciate the amendments made to the bill over a number of years, but I still feel we would be putting short-term financial gain ahead of long-term health concerns,” said Patricia Fahy, who spoke in great detail about concussion issues arising in many sports.
While Catherine T Nolan asked: “What kind of message are we sending, particularly to our sons, if this violence is permitted?”
The discourse was elongated and there were cheers at the announcement of the closing remarks, but at times the arguments were made amusing with officials like Matthew Titone, who is openly gay, joking before pledging his support for the legalisation of the sport:
“I’m not a sports fan and if I wanted to watch two near-naked men wrestle in a cage and the winner gets a purse, I’d go to Fire Island. But I do support this bill.”
The charismatic Jose Rivera also raised laughter from the floor while pointing out that violence existed long before the rise in popularity of MMA.
“You’re afraid of violence? You’re lucky you didn’t grow up in the south Bronx like I did,” said Rivera.
“I grew up in a violent society, don’t preach to me. I learned skills to defend myself so that I would one day be standing here in front of you. We seem to demonise this issue.”
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