New York State Votes To Legalize Mixed Martial Arts

Multiple outlets are reporting that the state of New York has officially voted to legalize mixed martial arts following the sport being banned for nearly 20 years.

The vote to legalize the sport was held by the New York State Assembly earlier today, with the majority voting in favor of lifting the ban. The final vote came in at 113-25.

New York now joins the remainder of the United States that already allow and regulate mixed martial arts.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign the measure into law following the budget measure for 2016; however, the only remaining hurdle is said to be the New York State Athletic Commission establishing and finalizing a set of rules, which is a process that can take up to 120 days. Once this is finished, mixed martial arts will be fully legalized in New York.

Mixed martial arts was first banned in New York in 1997 by then-governor George Pataki.

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