New York Senate Passes Bill Approving MMA, Now Moves to the Assembly

The road to getting mixed martial arts sanctioned in New York have been long and arduous, but on Monday things took a turn for the positive.

With a vote of 42-18 the New York State Senate passed the bill to authorize and sanction mixed martial arts in the state.

Senator Joseph Griffo championed the bill on the floor of the Senate, along with several other state senators who spoke out in support of MMA being legalized, pointing to the safety of the sport as well as the tremendous financial impact the sport could have on the state.

The bill passing the Senate is a good sign, but not the final challenge MMA will face in New York.

Now the bill will make its way to the New York State Assembly for approval, and if they vote yes then MMA will be sanctioned in the state.

The biggest issue is that MMA has come before the Assembly before after being approved by the Senate and then voted down.

Assemblyman Bob Reilly has continuously battled against MMA being sanctioned in the state, and he will likely once again be a major antagonist to try and keep the sport from getting through this time as well.

The bill will be presented to the State Assembly next, and if it’s approved there then MMA will officially be sanctioned in New York.

Damon Martin is the lead staff writer and radio host for MMAWeekly.com.
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