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Thu Dec 04, 2008 2:19 pm EST

New York proudly ignorant in MMA ban

By Maggie Hendricks

New Yorkers, your tax dollars are being wasted. In working to keep mixed martial arts illegal in the Empire State, Assemblyman Bob Reilly has led his fellow Assembly members down a dark and ignorant tunnel. Sadly, the other Assembly members followed happily, no questions asked:

"I'll express ignorance of this sport, but after Bob described what a vicious sport it was, it was voted down by everybody on the committee," said Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte, D-Niagara Falls.

Really? Is that how Assemblywoman DelMonte approaches all of her legislative work? Apparently she couldn't spare an aide to write up a two-page summary of mixed martial arts before she, a member of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development, voted on a bill that could have brought in millions of dollars to her state.

Reilly is also wasting taxpayer time and money by cultivating a false holier-than-thou attitude:

The people who are drawn to mixed martial arts are attracted by the brutality of it, which goes above and beyond what you see in boxing.

Really? MMA fans are the only ones who like brutality, according to Assemblyman Reilly. Football fans clearly don't like brutality. Ryan Clark's vicious hit on Wes Welker has been played more than 500,000 times on Youtube since the hit occurred on Sunday, but it's only the MMA fans who enjoy brutality. He goes on to say:

It seems, to me, beyond logic that we in the state legislature would consistently pass laws against physical abuse and physical intimidation, everything from domestic abuse to bullying in schools, and then allow this stuff. We should not be encouraging the glorification of this kind of violence.

Again, really? Domestic abuse, physical intimidation and mixed martial arts are all in the same category, according to Assemblyman Reilly. He fails to mention the fact that fighters choose to go in the cage. Fighters choose to take on the risks that are associated with the sport. Putting MMA, a sport that has been found to be safer than boxing, in the same category as assault isn't just insulting to mixed martial artists and their fans, it's insulting to victims of violence.

I don't expect Reilly, or anyone on his committee, to become huge fans of the sport. But it's not too much to expect that an elected official would not spout off about the sport, and then vote against it, with such willful ignorance. 

Photo via Getty Images 

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  1. Darkness!
    1. Posted by Darkness! Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    wow! U'd think N.Y., of all places, would be a little less ignorant to things. And not to start another pointless mma vs. boxing debate or anything like that; but with mma being the evolution of combat sports, it's very strange to me that the world capital of commerce (NYC) would be against bringing such a lucrative business to their state. This is the kind of one-dimensional, sheep-like following that has gotten our country in the mess we're in now. With all due respect to Assemblywoman DelMonte- if u admit ignorance of something, how can u have an opinion of it? People like that really get my fired up... good blog Maggie.
  2. AdamG
    2. Posted by AdamG Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    Boxing is deeply embedded in NYC's culture and the comments by the assemblymen prove that. They can't claim ignorance, but they can claim to be on boxing's side of the debate. As for the "MMA fans are attracted to brutality" line, Bob Reilly can suck a fat one, because while brutality is a part of both sports, who is he to judge which fans are attracted to what. Basically they just F'ed their state out of millions of dollars because they fear something they don't understand.
  3. Karl A
    3. Posted by Karl A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:47 pm EDT

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    Who gives a damn about New York.It was a place to visit 20 years ago just to say I've been there. It was a better place to leave. If they don't want MMA there so be it. I don't see any way it will hurt the sport. Isn't Matt Sera from New York? I think that says enough. Hillary Clinton is a senator for NY so that alone speaks for New Yorkers intelligence. Great White, I'll take up where you left. Take from the rich to supplement the poor will never work. The $$$'s will end up right back in the hands of the wealthy again because if their product, service or function they perform that made them wealthy in the first place. Of course the DEM's could always try to put a cap on how much we can earn.
    Good job a always Magg's.
  4. jtakeo11
    4. Posted by jtakeo11 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    Great blog Maggie....Thank you!
    It just shows people's ignorance. It's old people set in their old ways. Let them be idiots. Can you imagine an event at MSG? WOW! Oh well....MMA is doing fine right now and will continue to grow. Hopefully people will start to take their blinders off and see MMA for what it is, a controlled sport, and not for what it is not, brutal chaos.
  5. The Great White
    5. Posted by The Great White Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:27 pm EDT

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    Karl A - Thanks for the agreement, I figured I would get slammed but don't care. This is the last "political" statement I will make on this site. Basic economics education is something that "true" democrats will never understand. It comes down to this. The wealthy will stay wealthy no matter how much you tax them. How? because they will adjust their bottom line by cutting work force, cutting wages, cutting product quality, or shipping services overseas. This affects the middle and lower class. IF you lowered the taxes on the wealthy they would (generally) add more work force, pay more in salary, put money into product development (i.e. workforce) and the list goes on and on, WHICH affects the middle and lower class. Trickle down economics is true when you break it down. The only thing that taking from the rich and giving to the poor does is validate that the poorest can continue to have their hands out. Last little nugget for the uneducated; the top 5% of the nations wealth employ 70% of the nations workforce. Yeah, great idea to raise taxes on the top 5%. I digress............
  6. athsquare
    6. Posted by athsquare Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:59 pm EDT

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    She admitted ignorance yet voted against it anyway...LOL Thats so funny instead of just abstaining from voting she went with whatever the guy speaking said. LOL LOL LOL yea thats NOT why our country is in the mess economically that it is. Politicians voting for things they dont understand like the BAILOUT.... Damn someone should impeach this chick simply becasause she voted even out of admitted ignorance. It actually speaks to the stupidity of NY'ers for voting for this douchebag in the first place...
  7. Darkness!
    7. Posted by Darkness! Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    In the spirit of Dana White:
    F**k new york. We don't f**kin' need new york. F**k 'em...
  8. athsquare
    8. Posted by athsquare Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:59 pm EDT

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    Oh by the way this is this idiots email address delmonf@ assembly.state.ny.us
  9. IDGAD
    9. Posted by IDGAD Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    No matter the system there's gonna be 'haves' and 'have nots'. Even in the egalitarian workers' paradise there's those a whole hell of a lot more 'equal' than those they 'serve'. There's always gonna be those that wanna cut the pie, but who’s gonna bake it? Whose recipe was used? Who’s grinding the flour? Who’s raisin' the grain? There's always going to be those able to prosper to a greater degree than you and I. The only place you're gonna find Utopia is between hard covers. With all its faults and injustices I'm perfectly willing to throw a party for those who wish to leave this terrible terrible place.
  10. Brian
    10. Posted by Brian Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    Apparently these politicians don't realize that a lot of MMA fans also watch boxing as well. I still enjoy a boxing match every now and then, just not on PPV. They were right in one respect, that MMA appears more brutal than boxing. When was the last time anyone saw 2 boxers really go at and fight each other. Because MMA fighters actually engage and fight it appears more brutal, boxers for the most part want to avoid getting hit and cash there guarenteed pay checks. MMA fighter fight for the sport of it boxers want to get paid at the expense of our (the fans) entertainment.
  11. Delicious Brains
    11. Posted by Delicious Brains Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    great blog post. as a NYC resident and avid MMA fan its amazing how, um, STUPID this all is ... but i guess if the state (and city) government don't want the extra revenue there will always be other spots in the country that will benefit. the economic status in the city is great! just watch out for that subway fare hike and the ten dollar pack of smokes. instead i'll walk to work, quit smoking, and pony up the cash for PPV MMA taking place somewhere else in the country. so much for "enlightened" NYC policy makers.
  12. Nutcracker
    12. Posted by Nutcracker Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:22 pm EDT

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    So what no MMA at the Garden. Who would want to put on a show in a building shared with the Knicks?? Who knows if that stuff is contagious, and you might get Isiah Thomasitis...
  13. ruckaone
    13. Posted by ruckaone Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

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    I think this one takes the cake .... great job maggie. It's politics as usual, New York politicians always gotta have a strong stand on something.They should tally up a concussion comparison between NFL and MMA. If NY doesn't want a piece of the pie, screw them. Eventually when every other state jumps on board , NY will be fighting for table scraps. My new documentary: Boxing is dead
  14. Clint
    14. Posted by Clint Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:27 pm EDT

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    Nutcracker....Arent the Knicks the most valuable NBA franchise!! Hahaha!! I dont know who came up with that number but it is ridiculious!! I only wish New York allowed MMA because I am in CT where there is nothing but UCONN and a bunch of minor league franchises. Well, I guess thats better than getting the Whalers back!!
    Maggie, nice article. About time we started getting some articles with substance. Please ask Cofield to stop dropping 7 posts on us in a single day! That limits the banter between all us loyals on here! Quality and substance over Cofield....I mean over quantity!
  15. Adam S
    15. Posted by Adam S Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    One of the recent episodes of UFC: Unleashed showcased 4-5 of Royce Gracie's old fights. It was fascinating to watch some of the old shows again, because they really were a bit brutal. The sport has evolved eons since then though. It requires such immense discipline, wits, control and technique these days to compete even at the regional level. To see something similar to gladiator games evolve into something of an art is really awesome.
    I'm sure most of you guys/gals have been given dirty looks by people when you admit you're a mixed marital arts fan. (I go to law school in Oregon-go figure) Luckily, most people give me the chance to defend the sport on its merits, and after they see a few quality fights or good jui jitzu wars in a major promotion, they usually start to understand.
    This N.Y. business is all politics. As you guys mentioned, the commissions are still stuck in the boxing mentality. It'll probably take another 10 years for MMA to be integrated into most state athletic commissions.
  16. Matthew T
    16. Posted by Matthew T Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:25 pm EDT

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    Everyone should go to Reilly's Facebook page and leave him a crapload of messages. Tell him how you feel about it or bombard his office with angry phone calls
  17. Dutchmeister
    17. Posted by Dutchmeister Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    It's ingnorant politicians like Del Monte and Reilly that constantly get elected to public office! Think about it. As bad as they are, what about the New York voters who put their sorry butts in office - and keep them there for decades??!!
    Some of the folks responding to this blog have the right idea: Bombard the New York State Assembly with e-mails, letters and phone calls DEMANDING that they reconsider allowing MMA in New York State. It's up the voters, the constituents to make their elected officials do what they were put in office to do. Period!
  18. Gabe Soto
    18. Posted by Gabe Soto Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:05 pm EDT

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    To Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte if you admit ignorance of something like MMA which It has fewer rules than the NFL and fewer hits and injuries; but what the hell am I talking about if someone like you can't understand a sport that it's really easy to follow then I don't understand rules why are you doing working in the assembly that it's really far more complex than MMA .
    You should take a really good look at yourself in the mirror before you go to work in the morning and ask yourself (What the Hell am I doing here).
  19. Ican2
    19. Posted by Ican2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:39 pm EDT

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    Wow, nice.. I can't believe GW was able to say what he said so perfectly and not have at least a handful of boot stomppin socialist carve him up..Great job GW...
    It dosen't surprise me that there not allowing the event to take place, their asking for to big of a kick back an Dana W. Aint letting anyone squeeze his pockets. Good for you Dana.
  20. Ican2
    20. Posted by Ican2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:39 pm EDT

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    And Darkness:. These are all fine upstanding dems from a solid blue state..How does their ignorance fall into the same mold as the Replublican supposed blind faith ilk..Democrates are usually not susceptible to such ignorance..How can this be??
  21. Rob R
    21. Posted by Rob R Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:51 pm EDT

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    Thanks for posting the legislator/clown's email address, athsquare.
    You know...NYCis also famous for promoting professional wrestling at MSG. Scripted or not..."fake" or not...it glorifies not only violence, but violence against women, violence against the elderly (ric flair), and violence with weapons (steel chairs and such).
    Excellent point about the Wes Welker youtube video. Don't forget that there is also a very popular website devoted to hockey fights. Hockey, to some degree, remains popular solely because there's always the chance of a fight breaking out.
    NY just cost itself a lot of money...but more importantly it stamped itself as ignorant.
  22. Parrot
    22. Posted by Parrot Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    Doesn't learning martial arts protect a person against bullying and domestic abuse? Especially arts such as Judo which put focus on bettering yourself and your fellow man. I'm a fan of both boxing and mma, here in UK boxing is still much more popular than mma even with the younger audience yet mma fights fights are legal and shown on tv so it seems daft for NY not to allow it, it's not like new yorkers can't watch it on PPV anyway!
  23. The Great White
    23. Posted by The Great White Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:27 pm EDT

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    ICAN - Thanks, but not too many "boot stompin socialists WANT to debate me". I am very confident in my ability to debate topics I am well versed and educated in. Plus, simple common sense goes a long way, unless you are a narrowminded follower. There are a lot of these "followers" in politics, MMA blogs, work and even home, but I do what I can to get people to take the blinders off. Most people make things way too complicated for their own good. Politics is very complicated but the topics get muddled even when they are easy to figure out because followers empower politicians viewpoints. One person agreeing with said person has no weight but get a bunch of weepy, emotional, non-educated, what have you done for me lately's, and you get people with their own agendas in power. BTW, why was my first post deleted but not my second???
  24. Darkness!
    24. Posted by Darkness! Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    Ican2-
    where have u been, my John McCain and Matt Hughes loving friend? haven't heard from u for a few days. Sanchez thought u were on the way to New Orleans to kick hi a**...
    : p
    I never claimed to be a dem., either; I'm actually against politics and political parties in general. But unfortunately, it's a necessary evil of our society; so all I can do is try to vote for the lesser of two evils... there's really no "good guys" in politics. If there were, they wouldn't be politicians... just my opinion. No offense to the politicians personally- I'm sure a select minority of them are great people; but for the most part, I put them on about the same level as used car salesmen and poparazzi. That being said- I disagree with anyone- rep., dem., or otherwise (including everyday situations- something I try to instill in my kids), that refuses to think for themselves and ignorantly follows their peers; that causes nothing but trouble. We have a whole country full of churches that started off with a good concept, then hundreds of people blindly followed one hypocritical preacher down the road to where we are now of most people (myself included) hating church people (and I'm a Christian myself!); all because people are too trusting, and just follow cuz they think that's what they're supposed to do. It's no diff. in politics, or for kids in school (how do u think Kimbo got so popular?-lol) That's all I'm saying- ALL people (especially high ranking elected officials) need to learn to think for themselves, and not just follow the leader.
  25. chano
    25. Posted by chano Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:02 pm EDT

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    Hey Maggie,
    Here is a new blog you can talk about. While switching channls last night, I came upon the Disney / kids channel "forgot which kids channel it was" But Mr. Kimbo Slice is going to be an inmate in the Josh and Jake movie or Josh and someone movie. So yeah he's premiering in this show tonight I believe on TV. Christmas special I guess. Check it out.

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