Tune in to 88.7FM WRHU for the morning show on 12/28/11!

Hi all, please tune it to WRHU 88.7FM (Long Island, NY) for the Morning Show on Wednesday, December 28 from 7-9am.  I will be on the show discussing the NY MMA situation and what we face in 2012. The show airs live from 7-9am. WRHU is the official station of the NY Islanders and broadcasts live out of Hofstra University in Long Island, NY (Where I went to grad school!).

LISTEN HERE LIVE

Thanks for all the support! Let's get MMA in NY in 2012!


Stephen Koepfer
Founder, Coalition to Legalize MMA in NY

Support NY MMA for New Year!

Ok folks, what are you doing on New Year's Day when you are sitting home after a weekend of partying or watching UFC on Friday or Fight For Japan on Saturday?

On Sunday, you can be watching the acclaimed documentary "New York Mixed Martial Arts" on iPPV with Go Fight Live! That's right cap off a weekend of great MMA by supporting NY in our fight for legal MMA! Check out the film that features Josh Barnett, Gesias Calvacante, Fedor Emilianenko, Steve Kardian, Steven Katz, Tara LaRosa, New York Assemblyman Dean Murray, Nestor Marte, New York City Councilman Joel Rivera, Bas Rutten, Oleg Savitsky, Frank Shamrock, Mike Straka, Dana White, and stars CFFC fighter Bradley Desir, Stephen Koepfer, Tyga Maclin, Eddie Goldman, Paula Romero, and Justin Klein.

Mike Tucker, Director of Gunner Palace and Fightville says:  

"Anyone who cares about the future of MMA in New York State needs to watch this eye-opening film to discover who and what is keeping MMA out of Madison Square Garden. Beyond the politics, however, this is a moving portrait of athletes in exile - men and women who are forbidden to engage in the sport they love in their own city."

Visit http://www.nymmafilm.com/ and click the watch on-line link! Spend a hour of the first day in 2012 supporting NY MMA!

 

UPDATE: New York has yet to respond to Zuffa MMA lawsuit.

On Tuesday, November 15, 2011, attorneys representing Zuffa, LLC (parent company of the UFC) filed a lawsuit in U.S. district court against New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. seeking, among other things, a declaration that New York’s ban on live Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) violates the First Amendment of the Constitution. Attorneys representing New York State have yet to file their answer to Zuffa's complaint.

According to MMA Payout:

Defense counsel for New York has made its appearance and were granted extra time to file its answer to the Zuffa’s lawsuit. The court will allow attorneys for the New York Attorney General and the New York County District Attorney until January 11, 2012 to respond.

I would also suggest taking some time to listen to this interview with Luke Thomas of SB Nation, Barry Friedman and Jamie Levitt (who head up Zuffa's legal team) as they discuss the details of the suit.

I highly suggest everyone take the time to read the full complaint. More than the voice of an exiled NY MMA community, it is a critical educational piece for non-fans.  Yes, it is 106 pages (excluding exhibits), but it will be worth it.  If you need some legal clarifications, I urge you to read Jim Genia’s breakdown of the complaint.  For some in depth discussion of the suit, listen to this episode of the Darce Side Radio where Jim Genia and Peter Lampasona of US Combat Sports sit in live to discuss the suit and what it means for NY.

Related NYMMANOW post: UFC spearheaded lawsuit: Can a Zuffa change its spots for the benefit of New York MMA?

Thanks for the love! MMA Business Magazine

When I was out at Fight Summit in Vegas last week to screen "New York Mixed Martial Arts", I got a subscrition to MMA Business Magazine. As I am brousing through some back issues, I find this article in the June 2011 issue! Thanks for the support guys. It is great to know the Coalition is reaching so many people. We were so close in 2011. 2012 has got to be our year!