A statement from Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo (R,C-New Suffolk)
(Long Island, NY) “I am very happy to announce that legislation to authorize professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in New York State (A.2604-C) has finally passed the Assembly. For too long this bill sat in purgatory and was not allowed to come up for a vote in this house despite it passing in the state Senate for seven consecutive years. Authorizing MMA in this state will provide a boon to the economy and ensure regulations to protect the safety of those who participate in this very popular sport.
“I am glad that we have passed this bill guaranteeing safety measures for participants already engaged in this sport, many of whom are teenagers taking classes at local gyms. We are the last state in the U.S. to authorize this sport, so it’s about time. It is a shame that the former Speaker’s personal opposition to this bill kept it from the floor all these years despite its significant, bipartisan support. I hope this is a sign of change so we can finally end the practice of three-men-in-a-room making all major decisions in this state.”
