Hot Topic (2/21): Should Ultimate Fighting be outlawed?
Ultimate fighting advocates push for legalization in NYS
ALBANY - Ultimate fighting is a billion dollar industry, an industry that is currently banned in New York.
But while fans of the sport feel New York is getting closer to legalizing it, their biggest opponent is not yet ready to throw in the towel. From the cage to the Capitol, the knock down, drag out fight to legalize this popular yet polarizing sport continues.
Saying there must be pioneers in sports, Nick Sanzo is speaking from experience. Thirteen years ago, ultimate fighting was no holds barred, bare knuckle brawling. U.S. Senator John McCain even called it "human cock fighting." In 1997, then-governor George Pataki and the legislature banned the sport from New York State. But since then, mixed martial arts, and specifically the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has morphed into a billion dollar industry.
Sanzo says the sport has changed over the years. "We have rounds, we wear gloves. There are a lot of rules: where you can strike, how you can strike," he says. "It hasn't affected the sport. It's made it bigger and more popular."
Ultimate fighting may be popular, yet it is still not legal in the Empire State.
Sanzo, who trains aspiring fighters and runs New York Mixed Martial Arts, argues that, "We're a New York based company that takes our shows to Vermont, but we'd love to have them in New York State. We'd love to see that revenue come to New York state."
And so would Governor David Paterson, even putting it in his budget. Paterson says legalizing MMA could bring the state up to $2 million a year in taxes. Back in 2008 while lobbying the state, UFC released a study. Its findings claim that an upstate show would generate more than $5 million for the local economy.
Without throwing a punch or a kick, Colonie Assemblyman Bob Reilly is without a doubt MMA's toughest opponent. Spearheading the drive to keep the sport outlawed, Reilly claims a recent Marist poll supports his cause. Nearly seven out of ten New York State voters say no to MMA. Reilly cites wide public support against allowing MMA in the state saying, "People literally come up to me every day, saying keep up the fight against it, we don't want it." Reilly adds, "At some time we have to say no to the lobbyists, no to the money and no to the violence."
Right now the sport is legal in forty-two states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and most recently getting the green light in Massachusetts. Also there have been UFC cards in Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun Casino, as well as up in Montreal. Essentially making New York an island. MMA supporters argue there is money to be made and that New York is losing out.
Sanzo thinks, however, the ban is likely to change. "I think we're going to see them at Madison Square Garden. We're going to see them right here in Albany," he predicted. "I think its going to happen. It's just a matter of time."
Reilly counters by saying a "violent" sport is no way to build an economy. "That's not something I want to do," Reilly says. "I hope it's not what the governor wants to do. I hope that's not what the legislature wants to do."
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Your thoughts?
Do you or your partner watch Ultimate Fighting?
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No. It should not be outlawed.
MMA fighters are skilled in several traditional martial arts and they follow rules while fighting. It is something that is heavily regulated and I don't see a problem with it. My husband watches UFC and Ultimate Fighter, and although it's not my thing, I have gone to live fights in the city next to us. They are amazing athletes, and this isn't the first "violent" sport that has been popularized. I would say it is the first that takes actual talent, not just acting though LOL
I say as long as it's regulated like other sports, it may as well generate some well needed money for our state. Besides, no one forces these men and women to fight. It's like boxing. They fight for the money and the fame.
I am a nurse married to a neuroscientist. The people that participate in this violent activity (not a sport) take horrible risks. The human head and brain are not able to take repeated blows and kicks without damage. Microtears, shearing and bleeding happen with each blow to the head. The damage builds quickly. I know that often the brain damage is not evident right away (and yes, for people that participate, that is a subtle insult), but early dementia, and Parkinsons are a difficult consequence.
It is not a sport and should be banned. As a country, we should encourage people to better themselves, not degrade themselves like snarling dogs in a ring.
They should outlaw the pay-per-veiw price of $45!!! JK, I really don't care. To each his /her own.
"Oh come on! Am I talking to myself here? I say they're vegetarian. You say GRR. I say can we talk about this? You say GRR. I don't call that communication." GRRR! "See, that's your answer to everything." --- Sid
I love watching the UFC and other mixed martial arts comps. It is the only sport my husband and I watch. I think it is complete bs to say it is not a sprort. Anyone saying this obviously has never watched it. If it is not a sport, then boxing is not a sport, wrestling is not a sport and martial arts is not a sport. UFC is a mix of all of those sports so it is pretty damn plain as day that it is a sport that takes an amazing amount of training and hard work.
You have obviously never watched a match and are speaking out of opinion. So you must think that boxing and competitive wrestling are not sports either? When are people going to learn that just because they don't like something, that does not mean the rest of the world
should be denied it?
Quoting Book_mom:
I am a nurse married to a neuroscientist. The people that participate in this violent activity (not a sport) take horrible risks. The human head and brain are not able to take repeated blows and kicks without damage. Microtears, shearing and bleeding happen with each blow to the head. The damage builds quickly. I know that often the brain damage is not evident right away (and yes, for people that participate, that is a subtle insult), but early dementia, and Parkinsons are a difficult consequence.
It is not a sport and should be banned. As a country, we should encourage people to better themselves, not degrade themselves like snarling dogs in a ring.
Only if they outlaw every other dangerous sport. Football, boxing, wrestling, etc. Then maybe.
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- Cafe GroupAdmin
on Feb. 21, 2010 at 12:35 AM