Yet again, the fate of MMA in New York rests with the state’s assembly. New York’s state Senate today passed a bill to legalize the sport, setting up another showdown in the House, where legislation has died the four previous sessions. The vote was 44-16 in favor of legalization, with several senators arguing to end a ban enacted in 1997 near the height of MMA’s dark days. Said Senate Democrat Timothy Kennedy, via longtime New York-based MMA journalist Jim Genia: “Every other state is doing it – it’s high time New York acts.” For the past four years, assembly Democrats have been decidedly less enthusiastic about MMA.
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For fifth straight year, New York Senate approves MMA bill – MMA Junkie