New York is one of only six states that do not allow legal Mixed Martial Arts Fights and it appears that this will not change in the near future.

New York Governor David Paterson had included the legalization of MMA in a budget bill that failed to get past committee. The Governor was hoping that legal MMA fights would help New York in regard to the fiscal crisis the state currently finds itself in.

If MMA were legal in New York it could possibly generate over $2 million per year in tax revenue for the state. Other money that would flow into the local economy form sanctioned events would include tourist dollars, hotel revenue, venue workers salaries, concessions, parking as well as many other event associated streams of income.

As of late, one voice has stood above all in the fight to keep MMA out of New York, and that voice belongs to Assemblyman Bob Reilly.

Reilly seems to know just enough about MMA to make an impact and that is what makes him dangerous. In a debate with a lobbyist for MMA, his arguments would not stand a chance, but in a press conference or on a news show he comes across as confident and well spoken. To the viewers that have no idea about MMA he may make legitimate points.

Reilly states, “the greatest problem I find with MMA is that it is violent and I believe that violence begets violence. I think this just helps perpetuate and encourage violence.”

This argument is weak on all fronts. There is violence in MMA, no doubt, and anyone says that there is no violence in MMA is kidding themselves. By the same token, there is violence in professional wrestling, hockey, and boxing and New York has no problem sanctioning these events at Madison Square Garden on a regular basis.

Another huge issue I have with Mr. Reilly’s argument is the statement, “I believe that violence begets violence.” Mr. Reilly can believe a lot of things, he can believe that the world is flat, he can believe that the Mets will win the World Series this year, he can believe anything he wants, that is his right. But to base an argument on a belief and not on one single fact, well, that is an opinion and an opinion is nothing to base an argument on, especially one that affects millions of New York residents.

Mr. Reilly continues his argument with, “there is a reason why in boxing, when a man or a woman is on his or her knees that the opponent, in boxing, cannot slam them in the head. There’s a purpose for that and the reason is safety.”

Mr. Reilly misses the point with this argument as well. As long as your opponent can defend themselves in MMA, you can hit them while they are down, but what MMA does not allow is a standing eight count. Opponents of Mr. Reilly could argue that the standing eight count does nothing but allow a boxer to regain just enough of their senses to get back in the fight and sustain more damage.

Reilly also states, “what attracts people to Ultimate Fighting is violence.” I would argue that this is a stretch.

Are some people brought in by the violent nature of the sport, yes, but that could be argued with any sport, not just MMA. Do some people watch NASCAR only for the crashes? Do some people watch boxing only to see a knockout? Do some watch football only for the violent hits? The answer to each of these questions is yes, but to think that all fans watch these sports only for the violence is foolish and misleading.

Through the entire interview with Reilly, which recently aired on Inside MMA, he comes across as very calm, very well spoken and very knowledgeable. Unfortunately, all of his arguments are based on his opinion and not on one grain of fact. It is sad to see MMA being kept out of New York due to the ignorance of men such as Bob Reilly.