New York Ends Ban on Pro MMA Fights

(ALBANY, N.Y.)— The light heavyweight Liam McGeary, an English expatriate who lives in Brooklyn and fights for Bellator, isn't the only mixed martial arts champion most New Yorkers have never heard of. But they may soon.

The more famous MMA promotion Ultimate Fighting Championship lobbied hard for years to convince state politicians to legalize it, bringing marquee fighters like Jon Jones and Ronda Rousey to Albany's Capitol.