Former New York State Athletic Commissioner Changes Stances on Mixed Martial Arts
by Luke Thomas on Nov 18, 2009 12:00 PM EST
in MMA News
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And does so in an op-ed via the New York Daily News:
Sixteen years ago, I led the charge to ban MMA in New York. At the time, I was New York State Athletic Commission chairman - the boxing commissioner. When I took my first look at MMA, I saw it as a street fight minus the beer bottle. I stood in front of the sports and tourism committee in the state Legislature and used the most powerful evidence I could find, videos of brutal fights and graphic photos of injuries, to plead for it to be banned here.
I still believe I was correct back then. But the sport we banned in the mid-'90s has virtually nothing in common with the MMA of 2009. Given its remarkable evolution, it's time we welcomed MMA to New York - so we can enjoy and profit from this fast-growing entertainment.
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Better late than never. You’re now officially behind South Carolina in the “progressive thinking” category when it comes to this issue. Great job Congressman Reilly!
Wow
That’s a hell of a turn around, and a POWERFUL ally.
Nice to see someone look at the current iteration of the sport with an open mind
Won’t somebody please think of the children?
Keep firing Assholes!
The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint.
OLD SCHOOL ALERT! Ten points if you know who this is!
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Nov 18, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
To the victor goes the spoils.
+10 for you, sir.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Nov 18, 2009 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Fights at Madison Square Garden would be so cool.
I’m thinking throwback night like the NFL does but with old school unis for the fighters, refs, announcers, and canvas.
by casey manrique on Nov 18, 2009 12:32 PM EST reply actions
But the sport we banned in the mid-’90s has virtually nothing in common with the MMA of 2009.
He gets it. MMA has moved beyond the “human cockfighting” stereotype – it’s now just as legit a sport as any other, and with more state legalizing it, it’ll be forced to continue to improve judges, refs, et al.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Nov 18, 2009 12:54 PM EST reply actions
i think its possible that lifting the ban in new york might be the catalyist that puts this sport over the top and springs it into a whole new category of popularity and growth. could u imagine a live show on network tv from msg? fucking chills!
That was a real kick and good for laughs and lashings of the old ultraviolent.
Title of this piece...
….I think it should be “stance”, not “stances”….also, Randy Gordon changed his stance on MMA quite some time ago (discusses this topic on his Sirius/XM show all the time)…..Melvina Lathan (the current Chairperson of the NY State Athletic Commission) is a staunch ally of MMA and really knows the sport quite well…..hopefully the NY sanctioning process does not get derailed by another Senate coup from left field again…..
by BrothersGottaAndyHug on Nov 18, 2009 1:25 PM EST reply actions
New York's Sanctioning of MMA
First New York, then Ontario.
...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
Ontario first :P
You Westerners need to learn your place.
Keep firing Assholes!
The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint.
Vancouver had MMA. Not regulated, but they had it, and they banned it.
To the back of the line with them.
...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
Every time I pass by the garden
I imagine what it would be like watching Anderson Silva fight there.
Huh.
...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
Silva’s final fight vs. GSP, Jan 2011, at the Garden.
Jon Jones vs. Shogun, Jan 2011, at the Garden.
Phil Baroni vs. Matt Serra, Jan 2011, at the Garden. (You know you wanna see it, and it just has to happen)
Oh, and Brock vs. Fedor, Jan 2011, at the Garden.
/wakes up
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
Momentum is building to bring MMA to New York State! The time is now!
Please join the thousands of New Yorkers at MMAFacts.com who have called, written or emailed their State Senators and Assembly members and asked them to bring MMA to NY.
Randy Gordon has seen the light, and now it’s time for New York’s current elected officials to realize how popular and mainstream MMA has become.
Please, email your NY State Legislators and tell them that we need to bring MMA to New York today!
http://www.mmafacts.com/contactyourlegislator
You can also make an impact by joining us on our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=56602878328&ref=ts
Robin warren@mmafacts.com
Robin
http://www.mmafacts.com/contactyournewspaper
http://www.mmafacts.com/contactyourlegislator
by Warren@MMAFacts.com on Nov 19, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions
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