Marc Ratner was cautiously optimistic about MMA getting legalized in New York up until a few weeks ago. Early last month, the mixed martial arts bill was amended to encompass boxing and other combat sports and increase insurance and fighter safety.
At that point, Ratner thought there was a good chance of a UFC show finally coming to Madison Square Garden later this year. But it didn't happen. The MMA bill essentially ran out of time last week. For the eighth straight year, the legislation passed through the New York State Senate by a landslide, but was never even brought to a vote in the Assembly.