If you live in New York and you’re an MMA fan, Tuesday is a very worthwhile day for you to call in sick and take a trek downtown.
There are two big events happening that day in the Big Apple.
First, the Coalition to Legalize mixed Martial Arts in New York will be holding a lunchtime rally at 250 Broadway in Manhattan across the street from city hall at the district office of Sheldon Silver, the Speaker of the New York State Assembly.
Organizers ask that you bring thoughtfully worded picket signs, but no audio equipment.
"If you are a fan, fighter, gym owner, business owner, or organization official who wants to start the 2011 New York State legislative calendar by letting our government know we want legalized and regulated mixed martial arts in New York State, please come show your support! Let’s gather together to show our legislators that New York State is not respecting the wishes of its voters! Let’s remind our legislators that mixed martial arts is a professional sport and in need of regulation! Let’s remind our legislators how much business our state loses and how many jobs are lost to neighboring states where mixed martial arts is properly sanctioned," CLMMANY’s Stephen Koepfer said in a press release sent out in December. "Let’s remind our legislators that we care about the safety of our athletes! Let’s remind our legislators that it is the people of New York State who vote for them, and that WE WANT LEGALIZED AND REGULATED MIXED MARTIAL ARTS IN NEW YORK STATE !"
If rallies and protests aren’t your bag and you have an aversion to the cold, you can head over to the Roseland Ballroom to meet all eight of the contestants in the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. Besides the opportunity to snag a few fist-pose photos and autographs, there’s also the opportunity to win merchandise and tickets to this weekend’s event in New Jersey.