The action in New York surrounding the vote to legalize professional MMA in New York on Tuesday, March 22 was ... interesting. Before the vote passed there were several hours of vigorous debate for and against the bill on the state assembly floor. Some of the exchanges made for some fascinating entertainment.
To join the conversation on social media use: #MMANY or #MMA4NY. Here's the recap of today's drama.
Crossing fingers today watching the assembly debate on the legalization MMA in New York. @ Long… https://t.co/INWGcCHFaA
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) March 22, 2016
Remaining steps for legal #MMA in New York: 1) Ways & Means committee 2) Assembly floor 3) Gov. Cuomo signs 4) NYSAC adopts rules 5) Fight!
— Mark La Monica (@LaMonicaMark) March 22, 2016
If O'Donnell is so upset about gambling via organized crime impacting MMA, maybe he'd want to look into making the NFL illegal in New York.
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) March 22, 2016
Update: NY Assembly woman Ellen Jaffee thinks MMA is barbaric and ruining lives of innocent women and children.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 22, 2016
Catherine Nolan talking steroid use. She must have thought baseball should have been banned a few years ago, too.
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) March 22, 2016
NY Assembly woman Deborah Glick believes legalizing MMA will lead to youth Fight Clubs springing up on the school yard. #cantmakethisup
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 22, 2016
Hon. José Rivera of Bronx County: “Are you afraid of violence? You’re lucky you didn’t grow up in the South Bronx like I did.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 22, 2016
Half ... Nearly all of the state legislators who have spoken during this MMA vote are now trending. MMA fans are nothing if not passionate!
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) March 22, 2016
Wonder if the UFC is looking at this thinking, you know what? Nah, we good. Thanks though, New York.
— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) March 22, 2016
"Nearly naked hot men. Gay porn with a different ending." Anti-MMA NY politicians are a classy, well educated lot.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 22, 2016
Rep Steve McLaughlin: It’s a long-time coming & I will be supportive. I’m not a fan but I believe in freedom and opportunity.
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) March 22, 2016
Now Patricia Fahy is talking about concussions in NFL. So after this hearing they are voting to ban the Jets and Giants? No?
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) March 22, 2016
Bichotte: For children, martial arts to me doesn't have a negative impact. It teaches self discipline and when to use or not use skills
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) March 22, 2016
“If everybody is going to jump off the Brooklyn bridge, will you jump too.”
This is the sort of reasoning we are dealing with. #MMANY
— Karim Zidan (@ZidanSports) March 22, 2016
If there is a single legitimate argument against legalizing MMA brought forth today I will share it. Honestly haven't heard one yet.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 22, 2016
