No vote on MMA in New York this year

The New York Daily News reported that there will not be a vote to legalize MMA in New York.  After a behind the scenes discussion on whether there were enough votes for legislation, the Assembly Democratic conference decided not to bring it to the floor for a formal vote.

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told the Daily News that the thought of legalizing MMA is “evolving” among politicians and was optimistic that passage of legislation could happen in the near future.

Of course, the UFC expressed disappointment with the fact an “up or down” vote was not made.

Via NY Times:

“All I want is a vote on the Assembly floor,” Mr. Ratner said. “If it doesn’t pass, it doesn’t pass. Not to get a vote by the full Assembly, to me, is un-American.”

Ratner cited the hotel worker’s union of New York in solidarity with the Culinary Worker’s Union as the main impediment to the legislation.

In addition to the New York news, Connecticut indicated that it would not vote to legalize MMA this year.

Payout Perspective:

While legalizing MMA through the political process may have to wait another year, the belief is that more people are warming up to the idea.  So, perhaps the lobbying and the UFC on Fox is helping with people getting used to the sport.  Zuffa’s lawsuit against the state still looms although no word yet on New York’s motion to dismiss portions of the lawsuit.