Battle for NY MMA Heats Up as Legislative Calendar Nears End

It has been a busy couple of weeks in the world of NY MMA. Both sides have been ramping up their attacks.

The UFC and several members of the local MMA community hit the road this week for press conferences across the state (Syracuse, Buffalo and Rochester). Assembly Democrats (majority) will reportedly discuss the bill to regulate professional MMA during their closed door caucus within the next few weeks.

Here are some comments in favor of NY MMA from Assemblyman Al Stirpe at the OnCenter/War Memorial press conference on Wednesday May 15, 2013:



Read up on the presser tour in these Syracuse.com and ABC News reports.

Other recent stories on the NY MMA battle include:
-The Economist:  No Holds, Barred
-Unions, Lies, and MMA in New York by Peter Lampasona of MMA Frenzy
-An open letter from Zuffa/MMA4NY requesting a place at the table at Governor Cuomo's Tourism Summit
-Dana White: I'm Not Doing Anything in NY Until They Do The Right Thing by Mike Stets of Bleacher Report

The opposition has been far from silent despite majority support for professional MMA regulation from legislators in Albany and New Yorkers across the state. According to Siena's latest poll a majority of New Yorker's favor lifting the ban on professional MMA.

Senator Brad Hoylman continued his push to set up a fighter's health fund in NY with this Daily News editorial. Check out my previous comments regarding his proposed legislation. Similarly, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee and Senetor Liz Krueger have proposed legislation calling for a two year moratorium on NY MMA until health risks can be further assessed.

Comments by Assemblywoman Margaret Markey, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development (the first hurdle in the committee process for the Assembly MMA legislation) are not promising as she appears not ready to approve the legislation.

As in years past, the NY Catholic Conference threw their oppositional hat into the ring this month.

With the legislative calendar ending in June, we still have a long way to go.

Inside MMA Covers Battles for NY MMA

Here is an interesting interview with former NY Athletic Commissioner Randy Gordon and Assemblyman Francisco Moya (D). Mr. Gordon was one of the ones behind the 1997 ban. This interview about the current state of the battle for regulated professional MMA was not aired:

To check out the piece that aired on Inside MMA, visit this link

Uptown Radio Covers the NY MMA Story

Today's episode of Uptown Radio covers the New York MMA story. Reported by Anthony Maglio. Interviews with Stephen Koepfer, NY based fighter Anthony Pipola, and Senator Brad Hoylman. The NY MMA story begins at 22:20 of the broadcast.

MAY 3rd EPISODE OF UPTOWN RADIO: VOICES OF NEW YORK
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MMA Opponent Hoylman Suggests the Creation of a Fighter's Health Care Fund

In a bizarre twist to the battle for regulated professional Mixed Martial Arts in New York, Senator Brad Hoylman (D, District 27, Manhattan) states that he will be introducing a bill that (were it to become law) would establish a mandatory fighter's health care fund in New York. The Senator, who has historically opposed regulation of professional MMA, intends to look after the long term health care needs of fighters in our state; even though they can't yet fight here. While the legislation is not yet available to review, Hoylman claims the fund would be modeled off similar funds established for horse-racing jockeys and taxi drivers.

Read more about Hoylman's plan in this DNAinfo.com story by Alan Neuhauser:
Mixed Martial Arts Foe Launches Bill to Create Fighters' Health Care Fund


Generally speaking, I think New York has a rare opportunity to be a progressive force in the sport regarding regulation, health and safety of our fighters. We are is a position to raise the bar and set a national example. However, rather than create new legislation when we don't even have legal professional MMA in New York, why not support the original bill that allows for professional MMA, and push for inclusion of regulations that address improved health and safety measures? I can't see anyone being against looking at ways to protect our fighters in the long term. Nevertheless, it seems to me that this legislation is putting the cart before the horse.

Better yet, Senator Hoylman could draft legislation addressing the regulation of amateur MMA, which is already legal, unregulated by the NY Athletic Commission, and being practiced all over New York as we speak. Amateur MMA clearly affects more New Yorkers' than its professional sibling, while posing many more health and safety risks.

Read these past comments on the state of amateur MMA:
March 30, 2013: UPDATED: Concerns Over Amateur MMA Regulation Going National
January 25, 2013: Association of Boxing Commissions Slams NY on MMA Laws 
August 22, 2012:  Amateur MMA: When will we come out from the dark ages?
June 2, 2012:  Will the Dustin Jenson Tragedy Teach Us Something?

Why would Senator Hoylman be introducing legislation that addresses a scenario still illegal in New York? Maybe he simply sees the writing on the wall; that professional MMA will eventually come to our state. He may have the sense that the Assembly will follow the Senate's lead this year and pass the MMA legislation currently on the table (though most insiders are pessimistic about the Assembly bill's passage this year). Could Hoylman being staging this simply as a measure to "remind" people keep the ban in place? Whatever the reasons, he certainly has added another odd twist to the already bizarre world of New York MMA.

Stephen Koepfer
Coalition to Legalize MMA in NY

Is the UFC Hurting Our Chances at Lifting the Ban?

From my Bloody Elbow editorial last year:

Furthermore, a lot of people are making a lot of money because professional MMA is banned. The unions and the UFC have presumably been contributing to the campaigns of their supporters for years. Both sides are employing lobbyists, PR firms, etc; all to address the "problem" of New York MMA regulation. Yet the "problem" is never solved.

Finally someone else is looking at this as a possible contributing factor as to why the ban on professional MMA has not been lifted in New York. From this week's Crain's New York: UFC's deep pockets may feed ban, By Aaron Elstein:

"Everyone knows these guys have a lot of money," the insider said, referring to the Fertitta brothers, who bought UFC in 2001 for $2 million and built the company into one reportedly worth $2 billion. "The ban has nothing to do with people being concerned about the morality of the sport or injuries to the athletes. This is about getting more money from UFC before the law is overturned."

 Read Mr. Elstein's entire commentary HERE

Jim Genia Interview with Stephen Koepfer for Fightline.com

Here is an interview I did with Jim Genia for his weekly update on NY MMA for Fightline.com

Nick Lembo on Michigan Radio Discussing Amateur MMA Regulation

Stateside with Cynthia Canty
April 11th Episode

As the national debate over gun control continues, we take a look at just how pervasive gun violence is here in Michigan.

We also look at efforts to regulate Mixed Martial Arts fighting in Michigan [with guest Nick Lembo of the NJ Athletic Control Board].

And zombies are taking over MSU. Students are fighting back... with nerf guns (they work on zombies).

Later in the show, we meet a writer and fisherman who finds his inspiration in the Detroit River.

But first, we check-in with Daniel Howes, columnist at the Detroit News, about Gov. Rick Snyder's relationship with those in his party.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE