Photo: Mixed Martial Art hopefuls practice submission techniques at Kai’s Next Level X-Treme Martial Arts in Ozone Park. Photo Courtesy of Master Kai Evers.
For six consecutive years, the state Senate has passed bills legalizing the wildly popular sport of mixed martial arts in New York, only to see its efforts quashed in the Assembly.
However, with former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan)—long seen as one of the sport’s major obstacles in New York—resigning the leadership post at the end of January following his arrest on federal corruption charges, many believe this could be the year that the Empire State joins the rest of the country by making professional MMA bouts legal.
Currently, only amateur MMA bouts are legal but they are also unregulated.
While it’s unclear exactly what has held up the legalization of MMA in New York, many speculate that it’s been a combination of opposition from conservative groups who say the sport is too violent to problems with certain unions that had ties to Silver.
But in the borough, support for the sport, which combines various fighting styles such as judo, karate, kickboxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and others, is already strong and growing each year.
“I do believe MMA should be legalized in the city because it will help bring new incomes to local businesses and communities,” said Master Kai Evers, owner of Kai’s Next Level X-Treme Martial Arts in Ozone Park. “It will help my business out and also bring up excitement and exposure for the sport.”
Queens’ legislators are also behind legalization efforts.
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said that legislation passed in the Senate authorizes the state Athletic Commission to develop regulations governing the sport, including licensing procedures and standards to help ensure the health and safety of fighters.
Addabbo estimated that legalizing MMA will bring in $135 million in new annual economic activity, while also creating new jobs.
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Howard Beach) echoed Addabbo’s sentiments.
“It’s time to end Albany’s chokehold on MMA,” he said, adding that legalizing and regulating MMA in the state would make the sport safer and bring millions of dollars in tax revenue while boosting economic activity for local businesses.
Evers said that legalizing it will assist the people involved in the sport in different ways.
“It will help local fighters who are struggling with finances; they don’t have to leave their home state to advance their careers,” Evers noted.
Evers also said that MMA-style workouts are hard to beat.
“MMA training has become one of the most popular forms of fitness. It’s a total-body workout without ever having to do a single crunch,” he explained.
Additionally, Evers said MMA training teaches “discipline, loyalty and commitment not found in any fitness class.”
Just last week, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, arguably the world’s leading promoter of MMA, sent bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey to Albany to help lobby lawmakers, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, on legalizing MMA in New York.
“Ronda is a great ambassador for the fastest growing sport in the world and for the UFC,” said Lorenzo Fertitta, chairman and chief executive officer of the UFC, in a statement on the organization’s website.
Rousey also last week appeared on “The Tonight Show,” with host Jimmy Fallon.
During the show, Fallon appealed to the state’s executive: “If Governor Cuomo is watching our show: Make it happen. Let’s do this,” Fallon said.
Rousey also asked viewers to write to their area Assembly member.
Goldfeder indicated that an Assembly vote on legalization could take place as early as May.
By Alan Krawitz alan.krawitz1@gmail.com
