UFC parent company Zuffa LLC "didn't come out on top in its lawsuit against the New York attorney general challenging the constitutionality" of the state's law banning professional MMA, according to Kevin Iole of YAHOO SPORTS. U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood "did not rule on the merits of Zuffa's suit, writing that Zuffa did not have the proper legal standing to bring the action." In her conclusion, though, she "seemed to indicate she believed the law did not ban professional MMA in the state." Zuffa has not attempted to "stage a card in New York without getting the law overturned because the Attorney General's position is that it would be a crime to do so." However, Wood "seemed to indicate that she felt differently." UFC is "considering whether to appeal Wood's ruling or whether to file another lawsuit," but there is activity in the state legislature that "may overturn the law and make the issue moot." A bill to legalize pro MMA "has passed the New York state senate six years in a row, but it hasn't come to a vote in the state assembly." Former Speaker Sheldon Silver, who was "indicted in February on federal corruption charges and resigned his post, prevented the bill from going to the floor for a vote." He has since "been replaced as speaker by Carl Heastie, who is considered an MMA proponent" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/31). UFC fighter Daniel Cormier said, “It seems like this time it’s more close to happening than it has ever been. There is a very positive vibe around the whole New York Mixed Martial Arts thing right now. If it does come to pass, the first fight can be towards the end of the year. You know the UFC likes to put on humongous shows at the end of the year." He added, "You can put on unbelievable fights in Madison Square Garden. ... MMA fights in New York would be unbelievable" (“UFC Tonight,” FS1, 4/1).
