Lift the Ban on MMA in New York
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Author:
n/a -
Send To:
The New York Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts & Sports Development
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Sponsored By:
Fans, fighters, and supporters of Mixed Martial Arts -
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Dear Members of the Committee:
It has come to our attention that bill 1-11458-A, intended to regulate the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York, is being considered in the State Legislature. While 37 states have passed laws regulating MMA, New York has had an active ban on the sport since 1997. At the time, pejorative labels like "human cockfighting" plagued the sport and they weren't always unwarranted. But MMA in 2009 is a markedly different sport than it was 12 years ago, particularly since the advent of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts in 2001, which outlawed such dangerous techniques as head-butts and kicking the head of a downed opponent. The idea of modern MMA as "no holds barred" competition couldn't be further from the truth.
Seeing the combination of kickboxing and submission grappling within the confines of a caged enclosure may seem alien to some viewers at first. MMA matches are undoubtedly violent affairs which often leave their competitors bloodied, and there's always the possibility of injury. Thankfully, serious injuries remain a rare occurrence in MMA competition, and there's been only one death related to sanctioned competition in the U.S. This is a direct result of the numerous rules and safeguards that are in place to keep the fighters safe everything from the referee's orders to stop a match when a participant is no longer mounting an intelligent defense, to the cage itself, which prevents fighters from falling out of the ring. There's no data to suggest that MMA is any more dangerous than other high-impact sports like boxing, football, or hockey. In fact, a recent Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study concluded that the lower knockout rates in MMA compared to boxing may make MMA fighters less susceptible to brain injury.
Furthermore, it seems irresponsible to deny New York the tax and tourism revenue that high-profile MMA events could bring when the State is facing a $15 billion shortfall. An economic impact study commissioned by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and conducted by HR&A Advisors found that a UFC event in New York City would generate $11.5 million in "net new" economic activity, $5.3 million in direct event spending, $1.4 million in non-lodging visitor spending, and $4.9 million in indirect/induced benefits, while an event in Buffalo would generate $5.2 million in "net new" economic activity, $1.7 million in direct event spending, $1.4 million in visitor spending and $2.1 million in indirect/induced benefits.
We, the undersigned fans, fighters, and supporters of mixed martial arts, implore you to lift the ban on our sport. Opponents of MMA offer no evidence or data to prove that it is unacceptably dangerous to competitors or harmful to spectators, and the current resistance to MMA, in our opinion, comes primarily from an incomplete understanding of the sport and the positive impact it would have on New York's local economies. Please don't allow legislation to be dictated by emotional reactions rather than a reasonable consideration of the facts.
Respectfully,
Ben Goldstein and Ben Fowlkes
Editors, CagePotato.com
It has come to our attention that bill 1-11458-A, intended to regulate the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York, is being considered in the State Legislature. While 37 states have passed laws regulating MMA, New York has had an active ban on the sport since 1997. At the time, pejorative labels like "human cockfighting" plagued the sport and they weren't always unwarranted. But MMA in 2009 is a markedly different sport than it was 12 years ago, particularly since the advent of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts in 2001, which outlawed such dangerous techniques as head-butts and kicking the head of a downed opponent. The idea of modern MMA as "no holds barred" competition couldn't be further from the truth.
Seeing the combination of kickboxing and submission grappling within the confines of a caged enclosure may seem alien to some viewers at first. MMA matches are undoubtedly violent affairs which often leave their competitors bloodied, and there's always the possibility of injury. Thankfully, serious injuries remain a rare occurrence in MMA competition, and there's been only one death related to sanctioned competition in the U.S. This is a direct result of the numerous rules and safeguards that are in place to keep the fighters safe everything from the referee's orders to stop a match when a participant is no longer mounting an intelligent defense, to the cage itself, which prevents fighters from falling out of the ring. There's no data to suggest that MMA is any more dangerous than other high-impact sports like boxing, football, or hockey. In fact, a recent Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study concluded that the lower knockout rates in MMA compared to boxing may make MMA fighters less susceptible to brain injury.
Furthermore, it seems irresponsible to deny New York the tax and tourism revenue that high-profile MMA events could bring when the State is facing a $15 billion shortfall. An economic impact study commissioned by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and conducted by HR&A Advisors found that a UFC event in New York City would generate $11.5 million in "net new" economic activity, $5.3 million in direct event spending, $1.4 million in non-lodging visitor spending, and $4.9 million in indirect/induced benefits, while an event in Buffalo would generate $5.2 million in "net new" economic activity, $1.7 million in direct event spending, $1.4 million in visitor spending and $2.1 million in indirect/induced benefits.
We, the undersigned fans, fighters, and supporters of mixed martial arts, implore you to lift the ban on our sport. Opponents of MMA offer no evidence or data to prove that it is unacceptably dangerous to competitors or harmful to spectators, and the current resistance to MMA, in our opinion, comes primarily from an incomplete understanding of the sport and the positive impact it would have on New York's local economies. Please don't allow legislation to be dictated by emotional reactions rather than a reasonable consideration of the facts.
Respectfully,
Ben Goldstein and Ben Fowlkes
Editors, CagePotato.com
4932 Signatures
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Tom R
- Comments
- MMA is no more dangerous than Boxing. You can recover from a broken arm. You can't recover from brain damage. Those who still refer to it as Human Cockfighting are still living in 1996. MMA as a legitimate sport has come a long way since those dark days.
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William M
- City, State
- Wynantskill, NY
- Comments
- Just pass the damned bill already, and stop placing taxes on things that are already taxed to the hilt. It would help the budget crisis, and get your a** out of hock.
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Scott B
- City, State
- Elmont, NY
- Comments
- There are endless opportunities for New York MMA to become a reality
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Matthew A
- City, State
- Albany,NY
- Comments
- Please help me follow my dream...
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Daniel G
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jeff t
- City, State
- buffalo ny
- Comments
- this is why everyone leaves ny im looking forward to each politicians death so we can get younger more educated people in office
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Dennis D
- City, State
- valley stream, ny
- Comments
- we need mma in MSG!! make it happen
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George C
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darius j
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Ross Eldred H
- Comments
- This is not the MMA of the 1990s. MMA is much more technical than it has ever been.
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Mike B
- City, State
- Copiague, NY
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Chris S
- City, State
- New Yok
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Gilbert F
- City, State
- West Babylon, NY
- Comments
- This is a civilized sport. Don't limit our states potential.
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Ruben R
- City, State
- Buffalo, NY
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Pat G
- City, State
- Ottawa, ON
- Comments
- Ontario just lifted the ban. It is now NY's turn. You politicans have nothing to be legitimately afraid of in this sport. You are missing out on a huge financial opportunity. MMA is no more violent or dangerous than Pro Wrestling, Football, Hockey, Boxing, Rugby... do your people a favor! Sanction it!
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Seth E
- City, State
- Rome, NY
- Comments
- Not as dangerous as legislative believes if they DO THEIR RESEARCH.
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Andy N
- City, State
- Rochester, NY
- Comments
- Its safer than boxing.
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Donna D
- City, State
- Bloomington, IN
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Jason P
- City, State
- Wappingers Falls, NY
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Vincent S. D
- City, State
- Bay Shore, NY
- Comments
- With the rules MMA has now, it should be legal in all states !!!
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Michelle G
- City, State
- Lindenhurst, NY
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max g
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ben w
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carmen g
- City, State
- rome ny
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donald
- City, State
- NY
- Comments
- legalize the best sport in the world mixed martial arts
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Labib Y
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Brandon
- City, State
- New York, New York
- Comments
- This is a right we all have.
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Robert S
- City, State
- Syracuse,ny
- Comments
- MMA is a sport just as well as boxing, football and basketball
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Devin W
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Daniel B
- City, State
- Utica, NY
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Erica F
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Amber J
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Benjamen K
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Dennis A
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matt
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John A Eisenhut J
- City, State
- Glendale,New York
- Comments
- anything more i can do to help please let me know
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Ashley L. J
- City, State
- Cassville NY
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Jack F
- City, State
- New York City
- Comments
- stop cock blocking mma in this state!
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john d
- City, State
- east setauket, ny
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Brian R
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Ryan H
- City, State
- syracuse,ny
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Matt G
- City, State
- Texas
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Juan A
- City, State
- Bronx
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Rob T
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MAtt F
- City, State
- East northport, NY
- Comments
- MMA is not barbaric! the majority of contestants have been practicing the ART for years and take it very seriously.
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Neil S
- City, State
- Queens, NY
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nick m
- Comments
- im a fighter and i want to fight in my hometown not in new jersey
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Gavin
- City, State
- Garfield, New Jersey
- Comments
- I want to see some fights up at MSG
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Evan S
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Jesse M
- City, State
- Lake Placid, New York
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4932
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