Big Win for MMA in New York
By Josh Stein on Nov 18, 2009
It’s not in the form of something concrete in the legislature just yet, but in a recent editorial, former chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission, Randy Gordon, has come out in favor of legalizing MMA in the state of New York.
While it’s clear that Gordon has been slow to speak up (as none of the changes in the sport are particularly recent, but have occurred over the course of the last few years), it’s a good time for him to do so. There are a lot of ongoing efforts in the state of New York looking to legalize MMA.
MMA still faces some opposition in the sport, but most of it is some combination of union-driven political posturing and puritanical stupidity.
Anyway, I recommend reading Gordon’s article. I don’t really agree with his historical perspective on the sport, but getting into the things I think he’s wrong about would take a great deal of time and detract from the most important part of this: the tide is turning a little faster in New York, and with the support of people like Randy Gordon (who are all the more influential as those who used to oppose the sport), we may start seeing more rapid change to the political climate.
Comments (6)
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if and when mma does get legalized every mma website and mma org should give props to where they are due-to Zuffa and DANA WHITE. it seems like it’s the “in” thing on the net for everyone to bash dana for every single thing he says or does. well this is one thing he’s been doing since the beginnning of zuffa, getting mma legal in ALL 50 states.
i know alot will say he does it to benefit the ufc, and i say so what? it benefits all of mma and getting mma legalized in states like delaware and rhode island probably wont benefit the ufc financially at all , but will help smaller orgs to pop up in those states. too much negativity directed towards someone who is not perfect, but has done alot more positive things for the sport than negative. just my 2 cents.
True. And although the UFC didn’t directly play a part in legalizing MMA in PA, the exposure certainly helped.
Is Gordon a political appointee? Because if he is his time may be numbered here in N.Y.! Patterson is probably on his way out, I do not think Cuomo cares, but it may just delay things longer. Get Bloominburg on MMA’s side and it is a wrap. Hell he could start his own organization with his own cash!
Bill
Brent, I’m with you. I don’t think the UFC has done enough direct lobbying in NY, but that may be smart on their part. I will say this: what’s good for Zuffa, when it comes to legalizing the sport, is good for MMA and for MMA fans.
Bill, I don’t think Gordon’s an appointee anymore, though I wish he was.
Well in New York the effort to legalize it by the UFC has kind of tailed off. But when all you have is Matt Serra and Matt Hamil running around you may not generate a ton of interest. They needed to do a tour of the state here with guys like Liddell, Couture, Tito,Forrest, etc… you know big names to draw attention. But instead we get Serra who is not a guy that will get the casual fan and who else… Pete Sell? You know the guy the casual fan cannot understand! If MMA were to get legalized here under the current approach I do not think I would have to thank Dana, because something else would cause it.
Bill
Momentum is building to bring MMA to NY. You are all correct in that we need continued exposure of the sport by more fighters, but also, we need the fans to voice their support as well.
Please join the thousands of New Yorkers at MMAFacts.com who have called, written or emailed their State Senators and Assembly members and asked them to bring MMA to NY.
Randy Gordon has seen the light, and now it’s time for New York’s current elected officials to realize how popular and mainstream MMA has become.
Please, email your legislators and tell them that we need to bring MMA to New York today!
http://www.mmafacts.com/contactyourlegislator
You can also make an impact by joining us on our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=56602878328&ref=ts
Thank you!