Governor Andrew Cuomo was asked by Daily News reporter Ken Lovett if he’d consider legalizing mixed martial arts in New York State in a Q&A after his cabinet meeting this afternoon. The governor jokingly implied he wants to allow martial arts in Albany press conferences.
“Only in a setting like this,” Governor Cuomo said with a laugh.
Governor Cuomo continued by saying he doesn’t believe he’s taken an official position on MMA and joking that the Red Room of the State Capitol Building is a fighting ring.
“I don’t believe I’ve taken an official position on mixed martial arts,” he said. “Have we said anything? Does anyone know? This is the ring, this is the octagon.”
New York is one of the few states where MMA is still illegal. Mr. Lovett answered that he thinks “the feeling” in Albany is that the governor opposes legalizing mixed martial arts fights. Governor Cuomo said he simply hasn’t considered the issue.
“I don’t think there should be a feeling of my position one way or the other. We haven’t really reviewed it Ken and we don’t have a position,” Governor Cuomo said. “I understand the proponents argue it would be an economic development miracle and we need economic development, and so I understand the potential appeal, but I have not gone through it specifically.”
