MMA fans were happy to hear the recent arrest of New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on federal corruption charges.New York is the only state that outlaws mixed martial arts and Sheldon Silver is a major reason why. According to Bouncer Chronicles, the UFC has tried 6 times to get a bill passed regulating the sport through the state house, only to be rejected before reaching a vote. UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta has more or less been told the price of getting the UFC into New York is to bow the culinary union.

Fertitta said all of the arguments are in our favor other than the fact that there are politics being played. Silver and UFC critics object that the sport is barbaric and encourages violence toward women, while the UFC feels the economic benefits would bring New York $40 million dollars per event.