UFC Files Lawsuit Against New York Attorney General - MMA Combat

UFC Files Lawsuit Against New York Attorney General - MMA Combat

The Wall Street Journal's on-line portal has reported that Zuffa LLC - who owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship - has filed a lawsuit against New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman and Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. in hopes of receiving a declaration that the State's ban on mixed martial arts violates the first amendment and the company's freedom of expression.

As well, a number of mixed martial arts fighters are said to have joined the company in it's pursuit of damages, including UFC light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones, Gina Carano, UFC lightweight champion Frankie "The Answer" Edgar, Matt Hamill, and Brian Stann.

“Live professional MMA is clearly intended and understood as public entertainment and, as such, is expressive activity protected by the First Amendment,” the lawsuit said.

Representing the plantiffs, New York University School of Law professor Barry Friedman added the following:

“It’s martial artistry. The nature of martial arts is a lot like dancing.”

The promotion recently kicked off it's broadcasting partnership with FOX cable network, a deal signed for seven years in duration, ushering the brand into mainstream, prime-time television in an effort to support its continued thirst for growth and audience captivation.

Despite wide-spread support from interest groups and venues such as Madison Square Garden within the state, New York has upheld their ban on the sport which was written into law roughly fifteen years ago. The lawsuit goes on to argue that if the ban's intent is to curb a message of violence, the widespread availability of mixed martial arts programming on television defeats that purpose as New Yorkers can watch the sport from home.

“As is true of ballet, music, or theater, for an audience, attending a live MMA event is an experience that cannot be replicated on a screen.”


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