UFC president Dana White expressing increasing frustration with the ongoing struggle over MMA in New York.
The UFC's quest for legalization in New York continues to face challenges, with the latest setback coming in the form of a denied preliminary injunction. This decision, made by Judge Kimba M. Wood of the U.S. Southern District Court on Monday, has cast uncertainty over the UFC's planned event at Madison Square Garden.
The denial comes amidst ongoing efforts to legalize MMA in New York through the state's budget proposal. Governor Kathy Hochul included MMA in her budget proposal, which could potentially legalize the sport without a separate vote by the Assembly, should it be approved in the final budget.
However, this is not the first time the UFC has faced obstacles in New York. The state remains the only one in the U.S. that bans professional MMA, a fact that UFC president Dana White attributes to the work of the Nevada Culinary Workers Union Local 226. This union has historical issues with the UFC's majority owners, brothers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, regarding their Las Vegas-based Station Casinos hotel and casino resort.
Despite the denial, the UFC remains hopeful. Dana White, who was in Manhattan on Thursday to promote his "Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight" web series and Saturday's Newark-based event, UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader, expressed incredulity regarding the decision. He reiterated his belief that if the company were to be sold tomorrow, MMA would be in New York the next day.
The denial of the preliminary injunction does not affect the potential legalization of MMA through the budget proposal. Amateur MMA is already legal but unregulated and unsanctioned by the New York State Athletic Commission. If MMA remains in the approved final budget, it would become legal in New York without needing a separate vote by the Assembly.
Bills aimed at sanctioning MMA in New York have stalled in the Assembly for the past six years. The UFC's attempt to get professional MMA regulated in New York was denied by a federal judge in Manhattan, further delaying the sport's entry into the state.
The UFC remains the only major MMA promotion unable to hold events in New York due to the state's ban on professional MMA. With the potential for legalization through the budget proposal, fans in New York may soon see the UFC make its long-awaited return to the Empire State.
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