New York Assemblymen Liken MMA To Gay Porn, Slavery (UPDATE: Then Legalize It)
UPDATE: After a truly ridiculous debate, professional mixed martial arts has been legalized in the state of New York. The 50th such state to do so.
New York lawmakers are currently in session discussing lifting a 19-year-old ban on mixed martial arts in the state. Though the bill is expected to pass the state assembly, it has some vehement opposition. Including two men who have likened the sport to slavery and gay porn.
NY Assembly member Charles Barron likened MMA to a time when slaves were “thrown in a cage" and forced to fight. pic.twitter.com/YrzkItUwtD
— FIGHTLAND (@FIGHTLAND) March 22, 2016
Wait, what? He realizes he said that out loud, right? He also knows MMA fighters choose that career and it isn’t some Hunger Games-type selection process, doesn’t he?
Assem Danny O'Donnell: MMA is two naked men rolling around trying to force the other into submission, like gay porn. pic.twitter.com/yO18MW5EaB
— Dan Levy (@dlevywnyt) March 22, 2016
Yeah but when two women do it, it’s totally cool, right bro? (looks for someone to high-five while crushing Bud Light tallboy)
Here is a sampling of other statements in opposition:
Assembly Charles Barron: MMA is too barbaric. It should be banned. This goes too far for your entertainment. pic.twitter.com/91mf782dQ6
— Dan Levy (@dlevywnyt) March 22, 2016
Assembly woman Ellen Jaffe (D-Suffern: MMA has no place in civilized society. Debate underway in assembly chamber. pic.twitter.com/SjlwzA1n4F
— Dan Levy (@dlevywnyt) March 22, 2016
Fahy: Short term economic gains from MMA are not outweighed by the long term disability potential of participants. pic.twitter.com/MGYLix7LxV
— Dan Levy (@dlevywnyt) March 22, 2016
The people against MMA in New York are essentially pushing revenue into the surrounding states. Sure, it may not be your thing, but it’s a way to make money that doesn’t involve raising taxes. Besides, people in New York can already watch fights on television, it’s not like banning the sport in the state is protecting the citizens of the state from seeing something new and horrific.