NEW YORK — Inside one of the world’s most famous sports arenas, the UFC for the first time clearly and publicly stated its intent to help promote mixed martial arts sanctioning in the state of New York and produce an event at Madison Square Garden as soon as possible.
While the Empire State has always been one of the promotion’s biggest targets, it remains one of the last holdouts in the US; 44 of the 48 states with athletic commissions sanction MMA. With a renewed commitment to getting the sport regulated, the UFC hopes to run an event as soon as late 2011, and promised two events in the state within a year of sanctioning.
“I honestly think it’s happening,” said UFC president Dana White, who made the announcement. “Look who’s represented today. All the people we talk to, from politicians to Madison Square Garden and the list goes on and on. Was New York tougher than every other place? Absolutely. But I feel like we’re right there. We’ve done a great job. Ten years of nothing but success and safety and continuing to grow the sport. I think we’re right there in New York. We’re ready to grow the sport and make it happen.”