UFC fans in New York City don't have to wait any longer.
After it was first reported late last month that New York governor Andrew Cuomo would sign legislation to lift the nearly-20-year ban on mixed martial arts being hosted by the state, the politician inked the paperwork needed to legalize MMA.
Multiple media outlets are reporting that once Cuomo did that, the UFC announced that it has booked Madison Square Garden for a Nov. 12 pay-per-view event debut.
The announcement sparks the possible scenario of Jon Jones facing Daniel Cormier at the New York City mecca. Jones was supposed to face Cormier April 23 in a rematch of their January 2015 match, which Jones won by unanimous decision, but an injury to Cormier paved the way for Jones to face Ovince Saint Preux for the interim light heavyweight championship at UFC 197 on April 23.
If Jones wins, as he's expected to, it could set up a splashy Jones vs. Cormier rematch to be held at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 12. The famed venue could also be the scene for a possible Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm rematch, especially considering each is coming off losses now — Rousey to Holm in November 2015 and Holm having lost to Miesha Tate just last month.
Chris Weidman, who, like Jones, is from New York, could be another UFC competitor featured on that card.
However, figuring out the matches is the easy part. Getting the state to finally acknowledge the UFC as a sport and not just a bloodsport was the tough part.
"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," UFC Chairman Fertitta said in a statement, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. "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 Nov. 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."
With the UFC being legal in New York, the Big Apple's Barclays Center in Brooklyn could be another destination to land possible MMA events in the future.
