N.Y. Assembly Not Voting On Legalizing MMA
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — The debate continues.
Efforts to legalize professional mixed martial arts in New York have foundered again with the state Assembly's Democratic leaders refusing to allow a vote on the measure.
The bill, passed by the Senate earlier this year, had 63 sponsors in the 150-member Assembly. Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he's not opposed.
Michael Whyland, spokesman for the Assembly Democratic Conference, says there was not enough support within the conference.
New York remains the last state to prohibit the sport after Connecticut approved similar legislation.
Backers, saying they remain undeterred, argue that it's already widely seen on television in New York and practiced in gyms around the state, including unregulated amateur competitions.
The bill would legalize and regulate it.
Opponents say it promotes and glamorizes violence.
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