On July 25, the New York State Assembly Tourism, Arts, and Sports Development Committee got one step closer to finally legalizing the sport of MMA in “The Empire State” when Governor David Paterson appointed Melvina Lathan as chairperson of the New York State Athletic Commission.
Lathan has an accomplished background in boxing, having judged 235 professional boxing matches, including 82 title fights.
While many boxing professionals (and purists) are quick to denounce the sport of mixed martial arts, Lathan isn’t one of them.
From Lathan’s interview with the Newark Star Ledger:
“I believe that at some point (MMA) will have to be sanctioned in New York. Obviously, I can’t say as much as I would like to say because it really happens through the legislative process here, and I don’t want to say anything that will hinder its progress. But I feel positive because it is a fast-growing sport and one of the most popular sports. It is an intense sport, it is a difficult sport, but it is so different from boxing. I believe that there is room for the two sports, but you can’t compare them. A lot of people are afraid of what they don’t know. If they were more educated about sport … it would be easier for them to accept it.”
Lathan is set to assume duties at the beginning of 2009, when current chairperson Ron Scott Stevens finishes his five-year term.
While it’s refreshing to hear her enthusiastic approach, she does recognize that most New York lawmakers suffer from an education deficit. To help rally the cause, the UFC is leading the charge with some of its more popular NY-based fighters to help spread the word.
Enter former UFC welterweight champion Matt “The Terror” Serra.
Alongside disciples Pete “Drago” Sell and George Sotiropolous, Serra came to the UFC 88: “Breakthrough” viewing party last night at Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club in New York City to help further the cause.
From Serra:
“I’m a New Yorker, so of course nothing would make me happier than fighting in my home state. I like going to Vegas as much as the next guy, but its crazy to think that some antiquated law is keeping us out of a place like Madison Square Garden. You know the kind of money [Manhattan] could make with a UFC pay-per-view? Look what they did at the Target Center. We got some passionate fans here and we would blow the roof off this place.”
Serra has been one of the driving forces behind MMAfacts.com — a Web site the UFC recently set up to help legalize the sport of MMA. Part of the movement is to get MMA fans to visit the site and send an INTELLIGENT and COHERENT email to their local legislator calling for action.
Well, what are you waiting for?
23 Comments »
Im hoping this happens sooner then later, but it should be a few years. It would be so sick though.. A Madison square event would be so exciting, and could potentially do so much for the sport.
and also someone clarify for me, this is rashads 8th win in a row right? which would tie him with fitch and gracie for the longest consecutive streak. so then beating forrest would break that record and give him the title… making him the most succesful fighter in ufc history (debatable). i like rashad but id throw up if he earned a title like that taking the TUF road.
im not really too concerned about the UFC getting sanctioned in too many places, honestly i like that the UFC hasnt gotten huge, it keeps it cheaper and easier to watch
No, it’s not. It would have been if not for the draw with Tito, but as it stands now, his official UFC record is 7-0-1.
iM from philly so naturally I will be thrilled if the UFC comes to the garden
john whatd you think about the split decision for stun gun last night? not exactly what you predicted when you laid your bread down on him eh?
He won me $200. I am not relaly knocking Stun gun for the performance, instead I am very impressed with BROWN. He is showing tONS of development since the show and if it continues, he will be a tough guy to beat.
I said, stunn Gun would be a top 10 fighter within the next year, year and a half, and I still wont back away from that statement. I really believe that he is going to the top. tHis is only his second UFC fight. The Korean Kid is a stud.
Props to M Brown for fighting him tough, but I do agree with the decision. Stun gun won rounds 1 and 3, Brown dominated round 2. it was a fair decision and I am not just saying that cause I had a lot of loot on stun gun. I actually did not watch that fight live so I wasn’t sweating my bet out during the fight. I found out the result and then watched the fight, so it was cool.
I was happy to escape with the win.
I did OK betting. I won money but not a suitable amount. I had:
Chuck
Franklin
Palhares/Kampman parlay
Boetsh
Stun gun
My big bets were stun gun and Franklin so I was OK!
I would like to see Boetsch vs. HOuston Alexander
That would be a good scrap.
Instead we have to watch Houston fight Ravishing Red belt BJJ guy. Boring. Imagine the excitement a Houston vs. Boetsch match would bring to a fight on Spike.
that match up would be perfect for Spike!
He only won 7 of the 8 UFC fights…Tito was a draw. Might want to get a puke bucket because I see him handling Griffin.
He had a draw in the mix of all of that. So I don’t think it would count.
HEY GUYS! sorry to hijack but it’s 11 p.m. eastern time and CNBC is having a show called “Ultimate Fighting: From Blood Sport to Big Time- CNBC goes behind the scenes of the Ultimate Fighting Championship franchise.” Just in case anyone is interested.
I had no idea where Rich franklin’s nickname came from: It’s from his resemblance to Jim Carey in Ace Ventura, Pet Detective. lol, that’s great.
Oh well, it looked after a few minutes to be an old show, due to what info it was giving. So it was a repeat and you guys didn’t miss much.
we have the same problem in Toronto with it being unsanctioned. Its only a matter of time until things turn around i believe. You cannot deny the fact UFC events generate huge revenue for the cities they showcase in. I believe I read somewhere that when Montreal had UFC 83, the city pulled in an estimated $50 million.
For New York to turn its back on that kind of money just doesn’t make sense, although I can’t see Regis talking about last nights UFC on his morning show either.
. wat bee inteligant as corerant meen?
on a seriuos note, i ca’nt think of anyone better than serra to lead the way for mma in NY. Madison Square Garden is a must!
i serioulsy hope it gets sanctioned in new york..to see the serra-longo team to fight in madison square garden would be unbelievable..we gotta give matt serra some serious props, he hasn’t given up on this
if the $ is there it will be sanctioned. so i don’t see a problem with mma eventually being sanctioned everywhere.
It’s just a matter of morality. Some people would compare it to ancient rome. Like the time of the gladiators and so forth. It is really stupid to think that way considering what these guys are capable of doing. They are real athletes and it is only a matter of time before everyone realizes it.