The news rocketed around the combat sports world faster than a speeding bullet on March 22, 2016: New York State Assembly voted to legalize mixed martial arts (MMA). The last domino finally fell and in no time at all, UFC issued a press release and held a media conference call to celebrate.
Bellator MMA, as expected, was quick to follow in those footsteps.
“We’ve already been in contact with the great people at the Barclays Center and several other incredible venues,” said promotion president Scott Coker. “Two Bellator champions, Liam McGeary and Marcos Galvao call New York home and I know it means a great deal to the both of them, as it does for the entire promotion.”
Bellator’s headquarters (under Viacom) is located in Manhattan.
In case you’re mystified by Norfolk, England’s own McGeary calling New York “home,” he trains with Team Renzo Gracie inside their facility located roughly one block from Penn Station. Brazil’s Galvao currently makes his residence in Long Island.
World Series of Fighting (WSOF) CEO Carlos Silva was equally excited and made the following remarks:
“This is an exciting and historic day for our great sport. Those who have been lobbying for the legalization of MMA in NY State, including World Series of Fighting’s new COO Michael Mersch, should be commended for their persistence and commitment to seeing through the passage of legislation that will finally allow fans to watch live MMA in the Empire State, and fighters to compete there. We recently opened an office in Manhattan so, along with our television partner, NBC, we are looking forward to bringing our brand of professional MMA to New York very soon.”
Will the first MMA event take place in Brooklyn? It’s up to you, New York, New York.