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**K R Y** · 02-14-2013, 05:14 AM

Quote:

UFC scored a big win today in a Manhattan federal courtroom, agreeing with the state of New York attorney general that it could stage a mixed martial arts (MMA) event in as quickly as two weeks through a sanctioned third-party partner. In addition, a federal judge ordered Zuffa and the state of New York to settle their long-standing battle, which could set the stage for full-fledged legalization in the near future.

Energy and persistence conquer all things ... perhaps even the legalization of mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York.

After many years of hard fought legal battles in the"Empire State" -- and untold millions spent on political donations, high-powered lobbyists and over-priced attorneys -- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is possibly on the verge of staging an event in the mecca of combat sports.

According to Jim Genia, a New York City-based MMA reporter, the Zuffa legal machine may have finally broken through, exploiting a legal "loophole" that would enable a third-party to sanction an MMA event.

Genia shares the good news via Twitter

BREAKING: In 2 weeks the UFC will likely be able to hold events in NY. Judge in Zuffa vs. NYS case pushing parties to settle.

Attorneys for Zuffa and State Att'y General office agree that loophole in law banning pro MMA in NY allows for 3rd-party sanctioning.

Notable UFC/MMA fighters such as Jon Jones, Gina Carano, Frankie Edgar, Matt Hamill and Brian Stann were listed alongside Zuffa as plaintiffs in a lawsuit pending against the State of New York in Manhattan Federal Court related to New York's ban on MMA.

To read the amended complaint in full, which was today presented before Judge Kimba Wood of the United States District Court, click here. The 178-page document is outrageously comprehensive, complete with just about everything one could -- and couldn't imagine -- as it relates to the sport, as well as the state's 1997 law.

Money well spent if means UFC can backdoor its way into staging an event with a little third-party assistance. Genia pointed out that UFC would most likely have to partner with an organization such as World Kickboxing Academy (WKA), which was grandfathered into the 1997 law, to get one of its shows greenlit.

However, rest assured the "scumbags" in the Culinary Union will likely go out on their cutting boards in an effort to get it stamped out and/or stall that possibility.

In the meantime, the move by White and Co. to book a date at Madison Square Garden back in Dec. 2012 (read more on that here) for a truly historic MMA event in Nov. 2013 is now looking rather brilliant. So, too, does the immediate rematch that Chris Weidman granted Anderson Silva after he defeats the "Spider" on Fourth of July weekend.

This is not an all-out repeal, meaning that hurdles still exist to get MMA legalized in New York.

But, with facts on its side, along with a mandate from a judge -- not to mention being able to "agree" with the state attorney general on a key "loophole" -- UFC in NYC looks promising at the moment.

We'll take it however we can get it.

Click the link for more info...

MMAMANIA

This is HUGE! WOW! About damn time!

**Sugar-Free_LizaG** · 02-14-2013, 05:20 AM

wow I thought it could've potentially been YEARS away from being allowed/sanctioned, now two chuffin' weeks? That's awesome news

**Hammerlock2.0** · 02-14-2013, 07:10 AM

Great news, now let's rub it in the Culinary Union's face a bit.

(Damn it, I was going to have that as one of my predictions for 2013 but I didn't go with it... )

**Spec0688** · 02-14-2013, 07:28 AM

meh...at this point it doesn't really matter anymore as the only benefit UFC gets from this is just saying they can hold an event at MSG. Its not like the UFC needs NY to be even more successful.

There are still more desirable locations to hold big events like Cowboys Stadium for example, an event there would get me personally, more excited.

**UFC_OWNS** · 02-14-2013, 08:07 AM

i read this a few hours ago but im not quite sure what it really means it doesn't sound like its really sanctioned

**TheLyotoLegion** · 02-14-2013, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spec0688

meh...at this point it doesn't really matter anymore as the only benefit UFC gets from this is just saying they can hold an event at MSG. Its not like the UFC needs NY to be even more successful.

There are still more desirable locations to hold big events like Cowboys Stadium for example, an event there would get me personally, more excited.

They don't need it to be successful but being in New York would help them out a lot, it's the media capital in the world and they can always stop by with a big PPV at MSG, a FOX card at the Barclays Center, and then do an FX/Fuel card in Buffalo or Albany.

**Budhisten** · 02-14-2013, 09:11 AM

**Tyson Fury** · 02-14-2013, 09:36 AM

This news is bloody huge! Usually when something like this comes about Dana leaves a cryptic message on Twitter or something prior to the announcement. I didn't even realise that they were already in court over this.