Veterans and active duty military, can you help MMMA in NY

**sambosteve** · Posted On: 7/16/2012 10:49pm

The Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York is asking active duty, reserve duty, and veterans of the US Military to petition New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in favor of lifting the ban on professional MMA in NY.

In response to a movement against a once unregulated sport, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), New York banned the sport in 1997. Since then, in tandem with MMA's maturation and regulation, nearly every state has regulated the sport. NY remains one of the last to maintain a ban on MMA; interfering with residents' ability to lawfully earn a living and compete in their chosen sport locally. The fans, trainers, gyms, and athletes of the NY (many of whom are active or retired military themselves) need your help. Please help us by signing this petition in support of the regulation and lifting of the ban on professional MMA in New York.

When you sign, please share what branch of the armed forces you serve/d in as well as any thoughts you might want to share on the subject of MMA in NY.

Sign the petition here

To learn more about the Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York, visit http://nymmanow.blogspot.com

Thanks in advance guys!!

top knot · Posted On: 7/17/2012 12:28am

While I'm neither Veteran, nor active duty military, I'd like to help MMMA (Mixed MuthaF$#%in' Martial Arts?). or would my signing the petition invalidate it somehow?

**slamdunc** · Posted On: 7/17/2012 5:53am

Do you have to be a NY resident to sign the petition?

zhainerobenson · Posted On: 7/17/2012 8:29am

great post!

**sambosteve** · Posted On: 7/17/2012 9:09am

Thanks guys. You do not need to be a New Yorker to sign, but you do need to be or have been military. However, non-military folks can still help us get military signatuers and promoting the petition!

I am trying to gather signatures of military supporters of MMA to specifically make a point that counters this:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/uni...ufc-2012-07-12

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/...nti-gay-slurs/

While our petition speaks to MMA, and not simply the UFC, and also speaks specifically to the NY situaltion, I thought this new tactic by the union to attack our sport is pretty pathetic and ironic in many ways. The Uninon vs Fertitta battle is what is really doing damage for MMA in NY.

For those not aware of the current NY MMA situation, check out my editorial here:
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/5/24...ation-new-york

You can keep up to date with NY MMA issues here:
http://nymmanow.blogspot.com/