Dana White Personally Guarantees MMA in New York in 2012

It seems like only a matter of time before MMA and the UFC make their way into the state of New York as a legalized sport.

In November, the news came that Zuffa (the parent company of the UFC and Strikeforce) filed a lawsuit against the state of New York. The lawsuit looked to get the ban on MMA removed due to the ban being against First Amendment rights.

Now, UFC president Dana White is making a personal guarantee about the sport finally making its way into New York.

"We're so close," White told MMA Fight Corner.

"It's going to happen, and I guarantee you it's going to happen this year."

Bold statement from the UFC president, right? Well, White is so sure he said it one more time in case you thought he was joking.

"I guarantee you it's going to happen this year," White said emphatically.

MMA in New York would be huge, and a UFC card in Madison Square Garden would be a huge cherry on top after what was an uphill battle.

When it does get legalized, it will be the first UFC in New York since UFC 7 in 1995. That card remains the only time the UFC has been to the state of New York.

The card would most likely be massive and filled with New York and tri-state area natives. White seems like he already has one person in mind for the epic New York card.

"It's going to depend on what it happens, timing and everything else, but obviously, it would be nice to go in there with, probably, Jon Jones," White said.