By Red Mattos:
The state Senate in NY has again passed legislation to make it legal to punch someone in a cage, as opposed to a ring, which is perfectly fine.

Local MMA instructor, Kevin Leonard, expressed his frustrations with not being able to do what he loves in his home state: “You gotta travel to, you know, New Jersey. Travel to Vermont, Massachusetts. Everywhere around here you can go but, you know, you can’t fight here.”

Senator Joseph Griffo (R), who sponsors the Bill that was passed, lays out what this Bill will do for the state of NY: “It will allow us to generate economic revenue for this state as well as economic activity in many communities across this state.”

The Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey, stopped by the Capital on Wednesday to talk about the sport she cares so much about. “It is an art and it is beautiful and I’ve spent my entire life trying to perfect it, and to see other people call what I’ve devoted my life to barbaric is kinda like saying, you know when I come here, I respect what you people do and, I just, all I’m asking is the same respect for what I do.”

Assemblyman Dean Murray (R) has some reservations about the whole situation: “I find it a shame that we’re letting a union out of Las Vegas dictate whether or not we have a sport legalized in New York.”

According to the report, the problem stems from NY unions not caring for the non-union position of casinos owned by some of the names behind MMA. It is rumored that they’re the ones putting pressure on lawmakers to stop MMA from becoming legal in NY.

Assemblyman Joseph Morelle makes a good observation, pointing out that both Rashad Evans and Jon Jones – who will be facing off this Saturday for the light heavyweight title- are NY fighters. “That is not going to be held in the state of New York, unfortunately.” Morelle will be introducing a comparable bill in the next few days.

I don’t know what the big deal is. I can already fight in MSG on Undisputed 3. So far, no riots or cage-related felonies to speak of. So what say you; will we see MMA in NYC and if so, when?

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