#MMA2NY is OFFICIAL!!! pic.twitter.com/qY86hnszy6
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2016
The ink likely wasn’t even dry yet when the UFC announced plans for a card November 12 from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Governor Andrew Cuomo made MMA legal in the state on Thursday, and the promotion promptly let it be known that they are bringing a “major pay-per-view” event to town later this year.
In all, the UFC plans to hold four events per year in the first three years of the bill in New York, with Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Albany on the docket along with more stops at MSG.
Below is the complete press release:
Following today’s landmark bill signing by Governor Andrew Cuomo to legalize and regulate professional mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York, UFC announced that it will host a major Pay-Per-View event at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 12.
Additionally, UFC will be adding another live event in Upstate New York before the end of the year. The organization has pledged four events per year for the first three years after passage of the bill. The events will be held in Upstate cities such as Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and Albany, in addition to Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center.
Today’s bill signing and event date announcements cement mixed martial arts’ incredible future in the state of New York, and reaffirm UFC’s commitment to a market that is home to many top stars including former UFC champions Jon Jones, Chris Weidman and Rashad Evans, and countless other title contenders.
“I want to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo, Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle, Senator Joe Griffo and the many other leaders in the state of New York for legalizing and regulating the sport of mixed martial arts,” said UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta. “Our commitment to bringing incredible live events to New York starts immediately, as we’ve planned a major Pay-Per-View event at Madison Square Garden on November 12. It’s going to be a historic, monumental moment for this sport and our passionate fans when the Octagon finally arrives in New York.”
“Today marks a great day for both MMA fans and New York,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, Marquee Events and Operations, The Madison Square Garden Company. “We think it’s only fitting that the first UFC event is taking place at The World’s Most Famous Arena and look forward to these world-class athletes becoming part of The Garden’s storied history.”
Further information about the upcoming live event at Madison Square Garden will be announced in the weeks to come.
