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Political war over MMA continues in New York
By Zach Arnold | August 19, 2010
Bob Reilly to Harry Reid — this is our ring (Albany Times-Union)
US Senate Major Leader Harry Reid called MMA “a legalized street fight” — in favor — of MMA after he watched a recent UFC event in Las Vegas. He further said he would help UFC get MMA legislation passed in New York. Now, Bob Reilly, MMA’s biggest critic in New York, is going after Reid for his support of MMA. The Times Union claims that Reid is trying to get the help of New York Senator Chuck Schumer to give a local push for legislation to be passed.
Up north of New York, in Ottawa, the city’s mayor is interested in MMA events at Scotiabank Place.
Saw this item on FB a couple of days ago:
Shannon Knapp – Took King Mo, Tim Kennedy, Bobby Lashley, KJ Noons and Mayhem Miller to Fisher House today here in Houston. We visited the spinal cord injury wing of the hospital. Everybody seemed to enjoy visiting with the guys. I have so much respect for those that serve in the military and the personal sacrifices they make protecting our country. God bless them all!
King Mo: Booker T, Jerry Lawler, and Harley Race influenced my persona
UFC UK boss Marshall Zelaznik — Penn and Florian could give UFC a dilemma. No kidding. Notice how Kenny Florian’s fight against Gray Maynard has gotten zero promotional push for the UFC 118 show?
Antonio Margarito’s next move
A full recap here of what happened yesterday with the California State Athletic Commission rejecting Antonio Margarito’s license request. The move forced Margarito to apply for a boxing license in Texas. If he can get it, his fight against Manny Pacquiao will happen on 11/13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. If he can’t get a license in Texas, then he’ll have to fight in Mexico or Abu Dhabi. Michael Koncz says that Top Rank is confident Margarito will get licensed in Texas.
Manny Pacquiao’s conditioning coach says if the Margarito bout falls through, book Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez.
Speaking of Cowboys Stadium, Strikeforce actually considered running a show there. What?
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Topics: Boxing, Canada, Media, MMA, StrikeForce, Zach Arnold | 4 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
I think that Teddy Atlas stated a good case last night on the fights as to why Margarito should be denied the right to fight anymore. I was in the other camp and probably still am overall, but I’m not totally sure.
1) Of course Harry Reid is for MMA being sanctioned in New York. It helps out a big company in his state. Politicans will be politicans. This thing will eventually get approved. The length of time things take in backwards New York is mind boggling.
2) King Mo tries to hard to be a star but just doesn’t come across as one. Not sure if it is Strikeforce keeping him down or just something weird about his personality. Might have something to do with his fighting style not matching his personality (sort of like what Heyman talked about with Carwin). Mo talks a big game but is extremely boring in there.
3) Good for CA to deny Margarito. I’m pleasently surprised. What he did was near criminal. I don’t think he should be able to box ever again. I think if a UFC fighter loaded their gloves, White would fire them for life. There are just some things that don’t get a second chance. This is one of those.
4) Am I the only one not really getting excited for Penn/Edgar 2? Penn hasn’t done his usual press for a fight to build it up. The first one was a close fight but hardly exciting. And I get the feeling that Penn might be bored with fighting again and could easily allow this one to get away from him. It’s weird, when UFC 118 was first announced, I was super pumped for it. Now I’m not. I’m much more excited about the Lesnar/Velasquez card.
To add on to #1, Reid is possibly in some trouble in the coming election. It’s a very close race last I checked. The UFC is very popular and is practically the only thing in Nevada making money in the last few years. It’s a no-brainer why he wants the UFC to think of him as an valuable ally to their cause.
I had a facebook account for a minute.
A little too culty though so I had to close it.
Which wasn’t easy.
Lol @ Mo.
I like Mo but honestly I would have rather had Gegard.
But I’m more thankful that MMA is a real sport where being a favorite doesn’t guarantee a win.
Mo’s a good wrestler and seems like a nice guy.
Not a big fan of his alleged shtick though.