Huge news as UFC to hold New York event despite state-wide ban

UFC New York has a pretty nice ring to it.

The world's largest MMA promotion have announced they will hold an event in New York on April 23rd, 2016, despite the fact that the sport is outlawed in the state.

In an official press release the UFC say they will bypass local law and seek a federal injunction to hold the event.

Although no fights were announced for the card, it’ll include the “UFC’s top champions competing with other world-class athletes,” according to the announcement.

Here is the press release in full:

In August, UFC filed an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit – the federal appellate court with jurisdiction over New York – stating that New York’s prohibition of regulated professional MMA events violates the First Amendment rights of athletes and fans throughout the state. On September 28, UFC filed a new case in federal court, reiterating its claim that the New York law banning MMA events is unconstitutional. This out-of-date law is too unclear for the public to understand, and has allowed regulators in New York to pick and choose arbitrarily what events they will permit. Events featuring every combat sport except MMA seem to be allowed in New York, though this is not explicitly stated in the law. The statute, and the state’s pattern of enforcing it, violates the Constitution’s prohibition on unconstitutionally vague laws. Later this week, UFC will ask a federal judge to issue a preliminary injunction against New York state officials enforcing its unconstitutional law. Without such an injunction, the event at Madison Square Garden will not be able to proceed. While New York represents a potentially lucrative market for the world’s most prominent MMA promotion, the UFC and other supports have repeatedly failed to bring regulated MMA to the state. The organization has kept a presence in the area, partially by holding shows in nearby New Jersey and holding pre-event media and fan activities in New York City, but a show at the 20,000 Madison Square Garden would certainly be its biggest accomplishment in the state.