Schwartz: Long Island UFC Fighter Gian Villante Wants On MSG Card
By Peter Schwartz
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Growing up on Long Island, Gian Villante always had a cheering section.
Whether it was playing youth football for the Bellmore Braves and Seaford Broncos, wrestling or playing football for MacArthur High School in Levittown and Hofstra University, Villante always heard the roar from family and friends in the stands.
But when he began his career in mixed martial arts, Villante ran into a problem.
Since MMA was not legal in New York, family and friends would have to travel all over the country and to other parts of the world to see him fight. That all changed on Monday when the New York State Legislature finally legalized mixed martial arts by a 113-25 vote.
Villante, 30, is ranked No. 15 in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's light-heavyweight division and fights out of Bellmore. Needless to say, he's pumped up for a chance to fight in a big NYC arena.
"I'm definitely very excited," said Villante, who sports a 14-7 record. "I'm figuring out a plan on how I'm going to get on that first card."
The only remaining step before any arena in New York State can be booked is for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign off on the bill, which he has said in the past that he would. There has been much speculation that UFC has a date in mind at Madison Square Garden once everything becomes official.
Villante wants to be in the octagon on that night.
"I'm trying to figure out the best way to get in touch with (UFC President) Dana White to tell him how much I need to be on that card," Villante said. "I'm going to be at a dinner with him next week, so I'm saving all of my ammo for that."
There's no question that UFC will want to put on a huge show for their initial card at "The World's Most Famous Arena." That would mean trotting out big-name fighters like Connor McGregor, Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey, and former UFC middleweight champion Chris Wiedman, who is also from Long Island and trains with Villante.
For any UFC fighter from the Empire State, the chance to compete at the Garden, Barclays Center, the new Nassau Coliseum, or even in Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse would be a dream come true.
"It's important for us to fight in our home state," Villante said. "Everyone else gets to do it but us. I love the fact that that's changed finally and we'll be able to do that soon."
One family member that would be in attendance for that first Big Apple appearance is his sister Venus Villante-Bennett. Arguably his biggest fan, she's seen him fight in person before. Now, she could go with her family and see him right in their own backyard.
"I know Gian has reached many of his dreams, but Madison Square Garden, the greatest arena, means you've really made it," Villante-Bennett said. "Especially having all our family and friends from New York and New Jersey come to see him live. I know his niece and nephew can't wait to go."
That would be niece, Jovi, and nephew, Thomas, who is following in his uncle's footsteps by playing youth football. Villante spends a lot of time around the Levittown Red Devils, who are coached by his brother-in-law, Chris Bennett. Every time Gian makes it to a practice or a game, he is treated like a hero by all of the kids, including my son, Bradley.
All of those kids would love to see "Coach Gian" in action at that first UFC card at MSG, but tickets will certainly be hard to come by. They, along with all of Villante's family and friends, will want to be there that night, but chances are that not all of them will get the opportunity.
But if Villante has his way, only friends and family would have access because he would then have an 18,000-seat cheering section all to himself.
"I can't wait," Villante said. "Being Italian, I probably have 150 cousins. Being Italian and being from New York with cousins, friends and family, it's going to be great. Between my family and friends I know I could probably sell out the arena myself."
Does Villante really think that he could sell 18,000 seats at Madison Square Garden with just family, friends, and a pee-wee football team?
The numbers would suggest that the answer is yes.
"I wouldn't doubt that," said his sister Venus. "We have thousands of family. My one grandmother is one of 21 children."
That would add up to quite the cheering section.
Gian Villante has waited patiently for this opportunity. He has fought in rings all over the United States and in other countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil. But he's never been able to enter the cage in his own backyard.
It took a long time, but New York lawmakers have finally given him that chance.
Don't forget to follow Pete on Twitter at @pschwartzcbsfan. You can also follow Gian Villante at @GPVillante and @UFC
