Women's groups might KO the MMA in New York because of sex scandal: Report

Women's groups long-opposed to the controversial sport of Mixed Martial Arts and called it "barbaric" and "sexist" are now twisting arms in order to continue the ban of pro-MMA in New York state.  The drive to legalize the sport in New York may become a casualty of a state politician's sex harassment scandal against eight women and a secret payment to make it go away, according to The New York Daily News.

According to The News, women's groups and legislators are upset at NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for his mishandling of the sexual harassment complaints against Vito Lopez. Lopez is the disgraced Brooklyn politician who resigned from the Assembly last week after two investigations accused him of inappropriate conduct towards eight female staffers.

Silver was faulted by women who discovered the Manhattan speaker had signed off on a secret $103,000 settlement with two of the accusers rather than refer their complaints to an ethics committee, as is required by Assembly bylaws.

New York still remains only one of two states — Connecticut is the other — that ban professional MMA within its borders. The state Senate has repeatedly voted to legalize the sport, only to see the legislation die in the Democratic-controlled Assembly.

Silver had opposed the MMA in New York for years, but finally admitted bringing the sport to the state was "inevitable" — if only for the revenue it would generate. For a while it looked like MMA had won the second round.

Now, the legislation to legalize the sport may be in jeopardy because of the concern by female legislators. A source close to Silver said passing the law would only inflame the women's groups and increase tensions that have come forward since the scandal.

"I don't think this is the year," said the source. " I think it's unlikely."

Silver is expected to discuss the matter with his Democratic members next week. “The question is does he do what he did last year or does he play it straight?” said one MMA supporter.

One factor may be that opponents of the sport feel more strongly about the issue than supporters, sources said. Some of those opponents are close to Silver, such as Assemblywoman Deborah Glick of Manhattan.

Assembly bill sponsor Francisco Moya (D-Queens) acknowledged that MMA has “become an issue that’s raised real concern among the female legislators.”

But promoters of the sport seemed to be making headway this year in getting New York to lift its ban, especially after Gov. Cuomo said in March that “It’s something we’re looking at as a possible source of revenue.”

Silver is expected to discuss the matter with his Democratic members next week. “The question is does he do what he did last year or does he play it straight?” said one MMA supporter.

It's been a long and upward battle in an attempt to get the predominately male fan-based, professional MMA in the state of New York. Ironically, it may ultimately fall into a handful of women to make MMA tap out.