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Memo of Support for Legalization of Mix Martial Arts in New York

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is one of the fastest growing sports in the world today. Its athletes

are also gaining rapid popularity. MMA is a sport that is professionally practiced in 48 states inthe U.S., but not allowed in New York State. As gym and fitness store owners in New York

State, we ask that MMA be legalized in New York. Legalized and regulated MMA benefits our

businesses, provides professional career options for our athletes, increases safety, and spurs

economic investment in New York.

MMA is a recognized sport that takes serious commitment to athleticism and training. MMA

athletes spend countless hours training to excel in this sport. MMA is often times stigmatizedbecause of the variety of strikes involved and physical style of competition despite the fact that it

takes years of skill development to master this sport. The Ultimate Fighting Championship

(UFC) has the Uniformed Rules of Mixed Martial Arts that controls professional MMA matchesand limits risks to its athletes. It is important to recognize that the UFC encourages responsible

behavior from all of its athletes through the UFC Code of Conduct and sanctions athletes that

make poor choices outside of the sport. The character and reputation of MMA athletes are

aspects of the sport that are hold in high regard.

Just like other sports such as boxing, wrestling, football, hockey, and many more, the hard work

of MMA athletes should not be degraded by refusing to allow them to compete at theprofessional level in New York. In New York State, amateur MMA fighting is currently

allowed, while professional MMA athletes are not able to compete. Currently, with amateur

fighting, there is no regulation, often no insurance for athletes, and little safety standards. If

professional MMA were regulated, amateur competitions would adopt more of the New YorkState professional regulations. Legalizing professional MMA in New York would create a

culture of regulation that increases safety for MMA athletes at all levels. It will provide MMA

athletes with a path to increase their skills and further their careers in a regulated professionalarena.

While there are fighters who train in New York, use our New York gyms, purchase equipment,

and hundreds of thousands of New York fans that watch MMA on TV, New York loses the

benefits that legalizing the sport would bring. Many of the top MMA athletes, such as Jon Jones,are from New York, but cannot even compete in their home state. Professional MMA

competitions would bring in millions of dollars of revenue into New York through ticket sales,merchandise, lodging, and travel. The economic impact and activity that legalizing MMA brings

to New York would be extremely beneficial to our statewide and local economies.

We ask that you work to legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York State.

Sincerely,

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10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, Rochester, NYBruno Tostes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Latham, NY

City Gym, Utica, NY

Cutting Edge Sports Sciences, Albany, NY

Dojo 1 Mixed Martial Arts Academy, Yorkville, NYEmpire Academy of Combat Sports and Fitness, Rochester, NY

Empire Martial Arts, Colonie, NY

G2 World Wrestling Academy, Rochester, NYHeavy Hand Productions, New Hartford, NY

Master Yang's Martial Arts Center, Latham, NY

Mohawk Valley Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness, New Hartford, NYNYMAG Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts Academy, Wappingers Falls, NY

Precision MMA, LaGrange, NY

Rage Fitness, Utica, NY

Samurai Martial Arts, Rochester, NYStudio 55, Yorkville, NY

Synthesis Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Rochester, NY

Tai-Kai Jiu Jitsu, Liverpool, NY

Tang Muay Thai, Albany, NY

Tiger Schulmann's Mixed Martial Arts Woodbury, Monroe, NYXXXL Gym (Albany Strength Gym), Albany, NY

Long Island MMA, Farmingdale, NYRay Longo MMA, Garden City, NY

Eric Hyer Trainer, Garden City, NY

Soca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy, Wantagh, NYWantagh Martial Arts, Wantagh, NY

Max Martial Arts & Fitness, Plainview, NY

Crossfit Monarchy, Plainview, NY

MFA Academy, Massapequa, NYZanshin Self Defense Academy, Syosset, NY

Brad Lloyd, CPT, New York, NYDaniel Gonon, CPT, New York, NYSean Young, CPT, New York, NY

Tai Morales, CPT, New York, NY

GK Umen, CPT, New York, NY

Eric L. James, CPT, New York, NYCrystal Kaye, CPT, New York, NY

Flynn Skidmore, CPT, New York, NY

James Burrus, CPT, New York, NY

Wayne Jenkins, CPT, New York, NYBryan Martinez, CPT, Utica, NY

Function Better, Yorkville, NYBrooklyn Mixed Martial Arts, Brooklyn, NYTeam Jucao USA, Schenectady, NY

Spa City BBJ, Saratoga, NY

Shogun Martial Arts, Auburn, NYSyracuse Fitness, Syracuse, NY

Journeymen Wrestling Club, Niskayuna, NY

Tigon Academy, Watervliet, NYElectric City Boxing, Schenectady, NY

Fitness Factory, Rotterdam, NY