Connecticut gets one step closer to legalizing MMA

MMA may be struggling to become legal in New York, but neighboring Connecticut is one step closer.

The state on Tuesday saw a bill to legalize the sport pass its House of Representatives by a resounding margin.

HB-5277 passed by a 117-26 vote. It now moves on to the state senate, where if brought for a vote would then put the sport on the cusp of legalization in the state.

The UFC in particular has been working to get the sport sanctioned in New York. But in part thanks to roadblocks put up by the Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union 226, the sport is not yet legal there.

Without being able to host fights in New York, the UFC makes regular visits to nearby New Jersey. Connecticut soon could be on that list.

UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta is hoping the bill will find its way to the governor’s desk if it’s allowed to be put to a vote in the state senate.

“I want to thank the House members who supported this bill,” Fertitta stated. “It’s the right thing to do for the thousands of Connecticut MMA and UFC fans, for economic development in the state and for jobs. We will now turn our attention to the Senate and urge the leadership to permit the bill to be voted upon. We are confident that if Senators are allowed to vote on the bill, it will pass with strong bipartisan support.”

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Charles Clemons and Sen. Andres Ayala, already enjoys bipartisan support with 34 co-sponsors.

“Legalizing MMA is the right thing to do,” Clemons stated. “I am proud of my colleagues in the House for the strong support they gave the bill and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to turn this bill into a law in 2013. The bill had strong support in the Committee on Public Safety and Security, the Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding, and on the floor of the House. The majority of representatives – Democrats and Republicans – know that this is the right thing to do for Connecticut.”

One of the strong pushes by the UFC in particular in New York is that legalizing the sport in the state will have a strong economic impact when the promotion holds events in New York City, as well as cities like Albany, Rochester and Syracuse.

Ayala believes that will be the case for his state, as well.

“If MMA is legalized in Connecticut, it will mean jobs – union jobs – and economic activity for people and communities where it is desperately needed,” Ayala stated. “MMA is the fastest growing sport in the nation. Fans in Connecticut watch it on broadcast, cable and pay-per-view television. They travel to other states and countries to watch it live. We should legalize it here in Connecticut and attract fans from other states and countries to our communities.”

The UFC has many athletes on its roster from nearby New York. Light heavyweight Glover Teixeira trains in Danbury, Conn., at an American Top Team location.

“The UFC is eager to hold events in Hartford and Bridgeport, and we know other national and regional MMA promoters look forward to holding events here, as well,” Fertitta stated. “And I know that Danbury resident and UFC light heavyweight contender Glover Teixeira would love to fight close to home for his fans. And if the Senate passes the bill, we would love to make that happen.”

(Pictured: Lorenzo Fertitta)