North County Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, says he is proud of legislation he authored that was approved in the Senate that would legalize mixed martial arts in the state and ensure protections for fighters in combative sports has passed in the Senate.

Since 2010, Griffo and the Senate have led bipartisan efforts to bring mixed martial arts (MMA) to New York by passing legislation each year that would remove a statewide ban on the sport. This bill would authorize professional competitions in the state, while also allowing the State Athletic Commission the jurisdiction to regulate professional MMA promotions, participants, bouts and exhibitions.

Griffo represents the 47th Senate District. It includes a swath running through the middle of St. Lawrence County from Massena to Fine, including Potsdam.

The bill, which was sent to the Assembly for action, also includes a number of provisions regarding the health, safety and financial welfare of the participants in combative sports, as well as their spectators.

“All across the state of New York, there are up-and-coming mixed martial arts fighters who just want their chance to get in the ring and prove themselves professionally, in their own state,” Griffo said. “It is time that we give them that chance by joining the rest of the nation in legalizing this sport, while ensuring that these fighters can compete safely and within the guidelines of the State Athletic Commission. This is an enormously popular sport with a huge fan base, and this legislation would allow New York to bring significant economic opportunities to the cities and communities that host these revenue-generating events.”

As mixed martial arts continues to grow in popularity across the state, a 2013 study has reported that legalizing professional mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York could potentially provide an economic boost of $135 million each year: $68 million annually from these events, including $33 million generated in upstate cities alone, along with MMA training centers that could generate an added $67 million each year from their operations.

Griffo urged the Assembly to pass the bill before recess so Gov. Andrew Cuomo could sign it, but that body did not take up the bill.