Today, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte (D-NY) along with many of her colleagues will be present for the official bill signing of A2604-C with Governor Cuomo at Madison Square Garden.

On March 22nd of this year Assemblymember Bichotte helped pass the measure in the Assembly that would authorize mixed martial arts (MMA) events in New York State and enact tough safety standards for the sport. The passage of this bill makes New York the final state to legalize MMA, and a national leader in protecting the safety and well-being of its athletes. The first event will be held at Madison Square Garden, on November 12th, 2016.

"Currently, amateur mixed martial arts participants across New York State are competing in unregulated events," Assemblymember Bichotte said. "MMA is here to stay - it's time to bring these fights out of the shadows and treat MMA as a professional sport. These fighters are dedicated athletes who work hard honing their skills every day, and we must ensure they can compete as safely as possible just like many other contact sports."

"As a former red black belt martial arts trainee I support making mixed martial arts a legitimate regulated professional sport in the State of New York. I have experienced personal benefits from studying mixed martial arts for 6 years. Not only is it good exercise and a powerful form of self-defense, it has allowed me to further develop the qualities of self-control, and discipline. Even more important, as a survivor of domestic violence, it empowered me to remove myself from a dangerous situation. I am a better person because of it." said Assemblymember Bichotte.

Under this bill, the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) would be given more authority to oversee all combative sports, including boxing, wrestling and kickboxing. It also requires the Department of State to study new ways to fund health care for fighters who develop degenerative brain conditions from injuries sustained in the ring and who then require long-term care.

Event promoters would be required to provide health insurance with a minimum benefit of $1 million for the treatment of life-threatening brain injuries fighters may incur. Further, minimum accident insurance coverage for events would be raised by nearly 700 percent, from $7,500 to $50,000.

"The other upside to this legislation is that MMA would be an economic engine for the State's economy by keeping dollars here in New York," Assemblymember Bichotte noted. Dollars that were formerly contributing to the economies of neighboring states will now benefit local economies from upstate regions to downstate regions. It is anticipated that the sport will only grow in popularity, and if so will continue to generate revenue for the state. With the projected economic boost, strong regulations, controls, and health protections put in place for athletes; this is a win-win for New York State."