Michael Cohen - Getty Images
over 1 year ago: NEW YORK NY - JANUARY 13: Dana White UFC President speaks during a press conference to announce commitment to bring UFC to Madison Square Garden and New York State at Madison Square Garden on January 13 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images)
Dana White has been making the radio rounds lately and there has been a lot of great information coming out of it. From his statement that Cyborg had been stripped of her Strikeforce title to his announcement of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil airing on Fuel TV in the U.S. to now making a guarantee that New York will legalize the sport of mixed martial artis this year.
MMA Fighting with the transcript:
"We're so close," White recently told the MMA Fight Corner show on FOX Sports Radio. "It's going to happen, and I guarantee you it's going to happen this year."
...
"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," he said.
The UFC and others filed a lawsuit in late 2011 against the mixed martial arts ban, it's unclear if his guarantee has anything to do with that suit or just a feeling based on information of how things are moving currently.
I still think the legalization in New York isn't all that important (or is at least overblown in how important people think it is), but it'd be great if the whole issue was finally put to bed.
0 recs | 78 comments
Better happen
It’d be pretty awesome to leave Cali for the first time in my life to see Jones put a beatdown on ’Shad!
dajulzta - January 9, 2012
NYer here, dreamt of seeing a card at MSG.
mma.ly - January 9, 2012
JJ vs Shad, two NYers.
mma.ly - January 9, 2012
MMA + Madison Square Garden...
that’s the most important thing. Forgot to mention that lol.
dajulzta - January 9, 2012 via Android app
I just want fighters to be able to fight in MSG for once.
MicahtheCynic - January 9, 2012
exactly
RECE ROCK - January 9, 2012
Hopefully more than once....
DJ(MMA) - January 9, 2012
+1
mma.ly - January 9, 2012
There's a prestige in being able to host an event at Madison Square Garden
That I don’t think you can get in many other places. I think for the UFC and for UFC fans in New York, that’s important enough even if the economic impact for the UFC and growth may not be effected.
KJ Gould - January 9, 2012
True.
It’s pretty strange to think that the WWE can do the MSG while the UFC can’t.
McKinley B. Noble - January 9, 2012
the wonders of everyone’s favorite phrase “sports entertainment.”
Phildo - January 9, 2012
Junior Dos Santos vs Alistair Overeem in Madison Square Garden
Chris Groves - January 9, 2012
YUS
MicahtheCynic - January 9, 2012
I want fights like Shogun vs somebody and Koscheck vs Diaz on a card like that.
MicahtheCynic - January 9, 2012
phil baroniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
gspmademegay - January 9, 2012
no u
I want that one to be on July 4th weekend in Vegas with the Fan Expo
Rob Young - January 9, 2012
I got to go to the Jones/ Shogun weigh in in Radio City Music hall last year and it was awesome
can’t wait to actually see an event in MSG
RECE ROCK - January 9, 2012
sorry... press conference not weigh in...brain fart.
RECE ROCK - January 9, 2012
It's important for Regional promotions as well... there's $$ to be made in NYC and having Friday night fights will get fighters paid and brnaded alot easier in the region.
RECE ROCK - January 9, 2012
branded*
RECE ROCK - January 9, 2012
It’s far more important to regional promotions. I’ll agree there.
Brent Brookhouse - January 9, 2012
If you saw how many fliers there are for indy wrestling shows and ameatuer boxing or kick boxing events...and these lil promotions sell out once a month... imagine regional mma... there's $$ out there waiting to be had.
RECE ROCK - January 9, 2012
Matt Sera vs ???? first MSG main event
menckenstein - January 9, 2012
SERRA, you asshole
menckenstein - January 9, 2012
Just cuz that guy isnt as smart as you doesn't mean you have to be a dick
RashadsLeftNipple - January 9, 2012
You realize he was responding to himself right?
MemphisMike - January 9, 2012
yes
the same name, sig and icon kinda gave it away
RashadsLeftNipple - January 9, 2012
Well....that's a really terrible idea.
On the card? Sure. Main event? No way.
SSreporters - January 9, 2012
Co-Main
and I’ll do the dishes for a week.
menckenstein - January 9, 2012
I see wat yoo did thar
dajulzta - January 9, 2012 via Android app
Matt Serra vs. Shonie Carter
Spinning backfists only rubber match main event…book it!!!
NickRingp4pGOAT - January 10, 2012
Not only is MSG the Mecca of sports, especially combat sports, NYC is THE media market of the world. As the UFC looks to expand and crossover a huge event in the greatest city would get massive attention. It’s important.
memitim - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Along with all that...
finally being legalized in NY and hosting events at MSG will be the surge that causes a sea change in cultural and social acceptance especially when coupled with the FOX deal.
Cocytus - January 9, 2012
Agree.
MSG is just so iconic in the world of sports and entertainment that it grants immediate legitimacy to anything hosted there.
doomrider7 - January 9, 2012
Oh, well thank you for waiting until I moved across the country to fucking California before doing this. THIS IS REALLY RELEVANT TO ME NOW.
crazybones - January 9, 2012
Never noticed it before, but your avatar/picture is pretty awesome.
Rundownloser - January 9, 2012
It’s often the best part of my comment.
crazybones - January 9, 2012
Brawl in Buffalo
I live in NYC, so I’m all for MSG, but I bet Buffalo could support an event; especially with Toronto being so close.
Schwizzles - January 9, 2012
"if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time."
woooburn - January 9, 2012
Did you eat a lot of paint chips as a kid?
Schwizzles - January 9, 2012
Please do.
I’ll pick it up shortly. Until then, just leave it on your dining room table.
Damnatio Memoriae - January 9, 2012
I live in Vegas now, but when I was in NY I drove all the way to Montreal to attend UFC. Also went out to NJ, which was much closer, and flew out to Vegas a few times. The only thing that would suck about MSG as compared to MGM Grand or Mandalay Bay, is that MSG is so big, that the fighters will look like ants from the farthest seats.
…compared to…
metaldome - January 9, 2012
i think they'll manage:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8L0bXmEreaM/TdmNyn81YWI/AAAAAAAACow/N3j4c-39pBw/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG
woooburn - January 9, 2012
it will be fine, I’ve seen hockey from the top row and had a blast. Even some WWF house shows from up there back in the day. It works.
Phildo - January 9, 2012
They’ve done a bunch of events in venues about the same size as MSG. Bell Centre, United Center, even the HP Pavilion is about the same size.
Machiel Van - January 9, 2012
The Garden has great views from just about everywhere and few buildings get as loud. The Knicks playoff run in 2000 was insane, the place was defeating. I was also at Jones/Trinidad and it was amazing. Nothing like Fight Night at the Garden.
memitim - January 9, 2012 via mobile
But...that's not the boxing/wrestling seating
A concert is focused towards one end of the arena, while boxing/wrestling/MMA is at the center.
(And that’s a pre-renovation photo)
ThisOneGoesToEleven - January 9, 2012
I was decently far back at Cotto/Margarito II and I had a good time
mikedh - January 9, 2012
I wonder if Fox is the straw that broke the camels back. that’s a powerful media group to have backing your cause.
MattParker117 - January 9, 2012
I agree and disagree with your closing statement
Whether it becomes legal this year or not, it’s not stopping MMA’s forward progression. Symbolically though, i think it’s incredibly important. MSG is the mecca of combat sports, and just that fact that one of the most well-known, progressive cities in the world is outlawing a sport on 20 year old misinformation is something i think is very important.
Genki Sudo's Choreographer - January 9, 2012
This.
The reason the UFC is so obsessed with legalizing MMA in New York is because it will demonstrate the sport’s rise to mainstream acceptance. Moreover, think about all of the attention the UFC would get from the New York Times and other major media outlets if it does get legalized there.
Patrick Wyman - January 9, 2012
It's really the image thing.
If the UFC can perform everywhere else in the world but New York, that insinuate that the promotion simply doesn’t have the same kind of pull that other sports promotions do. If the UFC wants to be considered on the same level as football, baseball, and basketball, they have to be able to showcase their fights in the same places.
McKinley B. Noble - January 9, 2012
I seriously can’t understand why New York aren’t playing ball with MMA. The city would gain so much in terms of revenue, it’s ridiculous.
Jon Jones fighting in his own back yard (more or less). Interesting.
@KatanaClothing - January 9, 2012
they aren’t playing ball because of political bullshit. Different people will give you different explanations of that bullshit, but it all smells the same.
Phildo - January 9, 2012
It's mostly the Culinary Workers Union
that has an old beef with Fertitta and his casinos. That’s right, disgruntled cooks are keeping MMA out of New York. I really wish this was a joke.
Genki Sudo's Choreographer - January 9, 2012
Is News Corporation and it’s massive media empire enough of counter punch to correct this problem?
MattParker117 - January 9, 2012
Let's hope so!
Genki Sudo's Choreographer - January 9, 2012
Fox
Dow Jones
New York Post
Nearly Every Regional New York Newspaper
You’d think that would be enough to “Convince” some assemblymen.
MattParker117 - January 9, 2012
right now only one needs to be convinced. The speaker stopped the vote from happening. That’s the thing that frustrates me the most. If they voted and said no, I would be disappointed, but as of now, one guy is holding up the process.
Phildo - January 9, 2012
If the vote happens apparently it will pass as well.
MattParker117 - January 9, 2012
I guarantee that New Yorkers will never allow all those skinhead white trash fans who enjoy watching men roll around like homosexuals into The Garden. I also guarantee that UFC 100 didn’t do anywhere near 1.6 million buys; not even a million, I don’t care what they try and tell people!
Machiel Van - January 9, 2012
i guess they’ll have to be satisfied with a Kelly Pavlik fight.
Victor Rodriguez - January 9, 2012
How much longer can Arum possibly continue to serve in his current capacity?
Machiel Van - January 9, 2012
I wonder if the same person does their makeup...
Damnatio Memoriae - January 9, 2012
iAye Dios mio!
dajulzta - January 9, 2012
I couldn’t give two shits whether they get it or not.
T.C. Engel - January 9, 2012
As someone who has never been to a UFC event I used to think this to
But they would no doubt put some big names in shows there if they had the chance and would also likely do a good amount of shows there. Would be a nice alternative to going to Vegas for us people on the east coast who wanna go to a show.
RashadsLeftNipple - January 9, 2012
You guys get shows.
Jersey, Philly, Boston, Pittsburgh, D.C., etc.
T.C. Engel - January 9, 2012
Those are a few
But you gotta think there would be more quantity and quality shows done in NY city compared to those places.
I’m in MA. We had that one show in Boston the week I was on a work trip :(
RashadsLeftNipple - January 9, 2012
Shitty.
If it makes you feel better, I’m from Saskatchewan, we’ve never had a show of any calibre here.
T.C. Engel - January 9, 2012
damn
i’m in Philly, and the last time they came here before Rashad/Tito it was back in 09 for Penn/Florian. at least they bother to stop by.
Victor Rodriguez - January 9, 2012
You mean the Versus show we got at the verizon center???
or the VA show at the patriot center (which was a versus). Honestly, a few of the regional shows I’ve seen were better. Watching Dodson throw jump kicks when he fought in the UWC was insane. UFC 100 was of course wild, and pretty much any numbered UFC trumps what we have gotten so far, but a show at MSG would be THE BIGGEST ever. The prestige of MSG is unparalleled. It gives a breadth of legitimacy that could only help our growth and serve to make it more likely that you get a show up your way… at least one of these centuries :p
JaeeJaee - January 9, 2012
yes about time
biggant - January 9, 2012 via mobile
yes about time
biggant - January 9, 2012 via mobile
I will second that
biggant - January 9, 2012 via mobile
just imagine when UFC debuts in MSG
UFC 200- with like 4 or 5 title fights
Sean in Vancouver - January 9, 2012
"guarantee"
This word…I don’t think it means what DW thinks it means.
POW - January 9, 2012 via mobile
I think it would be good
It’s a shame I can’t fight or see a fight in my city.
discoandherpes - January 9, 2012
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