NYBA Extends New York Fighter Losing Streak

W. Piece

This fuckin’ guy. Baroni continues where UFC 98 left off, extending the dissapointing streak of loses currently being suffered by New York based and/or born fighters.

Let’s just hope Jon Jones, Amir Sadollah, Tamdan McCrory and George Sotiropoulos can turn the trend around with wins at UFC 100 and 101.

Click on the fashion victim to the left for the full Baroni vs Riggs video.

Exclusive Artist’s Rendering of Today’s NYS Assembly Vote

W. Piece

As you already know (if you don’t already know, it is strange that you visit this site), the New York State Assembly’s Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports passed a bill today to legalize MMA in NY by a vote of 14 to 6. YAY. The legislation must now pass through two additional committees before it is voted on by the full Assembly. AND don’t forget that a mirror bill must travel a similar path through the the Senate.

So since you already know all of this, what can we offer you that the other sites cannot? The below EXCLUSIVE artist’s rendering of the scene at today’s Committee vote…that’s what! Our official interpretation of the drawing is that Assemblyman Bob Reilly (the bad guy) is the man holding the pointy stick and Assemblyman Jonathan Bing (the good guy) is the man holding fireplace tongs and yelling. We are uncertain as to who the man with the gigantic head is as well as who the owner of the dog in the bottom left-hand corner is, but we will do our absolute best to find out.

Tristate Fighters go 1-5 at UFC 98

Creator: Warren Piece

Combatants hailing from New York and New Jersey had a spot of trouble finding Lady Luck in Vegas this past weekend. Of the six bouts featuring Tristate fighters, only NJ’s Frankie Edgar took home a big, shiney W. “The Answer’s” unanimous decision victory over “The Muscle Shark”  should put him extremely close to a lightweight title shot…perhaps against the winner of Penn vs Florian at UFC 101. Though it will not be mentioned in the record books, NY’s Matt Serra earned a moral victory after going toe-to-toe for three rounds with his mortal enemy Matt Hughes. It was a thrilling back-and-forth battle that earned both Matts F.O.T.N. honors. Sadly, the other four fellas reppin’ NY/NJ (Andre Gusmao, Phillipe Nover, Dan Miller and Rashad Evans) all went home empty handed.

BIG NEWS! FIRST VOTE TO LEGALIZE MMA IN NY SET FOR JUNE 3RD!

Creator: Steve Marrocco for MMA Weekly 

Eleven is the magic number. 

On June 3, the New York State Assembly’s Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports will debate and vote on bill 2009-B, which would regulate the sport of mixed martial arts in the state. 

Michael Kim, a representative from committee chair and bill sponsor Assemblyman Steve Englebright’s office, informed MMAWeekly.com of the news Wednesday morning. 

“It will be a pretty significant first step,” said Kim. 

Assemblyman Jonathan Bing, a Democrat representing the county of New York, will present the arguments in favor of the bill. 

Assemblyman Bob Reilly, a Democrat representing Albany and Saratoga counties, will present the arguments opposing the bill. Mr. Reilly has been a vocal critic of the sport and last month released a document to committee members that outlined his arguments against legalizing the sport. 

Out of 21 committee members, 11 votes are needed to pass the bill out of committee with a favorable review. If it passes, it then heads to the Codes Committee (for bills with legal implications) followed by the Ways and Means Committee (for bills with fiscal implications). Both committees will vote on the bill before passing it to the Assembly floor for a general vote. 

A Senate companion bill to the MMA legislation is currently in its Cultural Affairs Committee.

Renzo Gracie Interview: His Future, Matt Serra, Andre Gusmao, etc.

Creator: John Moody

Open Letter to Rashad Evans and Matt Serra re: MMA to NY

Dear Sirs:

I will be brief.

On May 23, 2009, you will undoubtedly defeat Lyoto Machida and Matt Hughes in the Main and Co-Main Events (respectively) of UFC 98 and, as always, will then participate in a post-fight interview with Mr. Joe Rogan (perhaps even under the disappointing circumstance in which you do not win your bouts).

As a self-appointed representative of the movement to lift the ban on Mixed Martial Arts in New York State, I ask this of you: Please be sure to mention the issue and let all of the fans watching and in attendance know what they can do to help the cause (write letters to the appropriate NYS legislators, etc.).

As I’m sure you know, a bill to legalize the sport is expected to be voted upon in the NYS Assembly’s Tourism, Arts and Sports Development Committee this May if not sooner, which does mean that the legislation may have passed or been defeated prior to UFC 98. However, assuming the bill clears the abovementioned hurdle, it shall require additional support as it heads to the full Assembly and then the Senate.

I cannot imagine a greater opportunity to bring this issue to light with two of the greatest fighters from New York headlining a brilliant MMA card. I have to assume that you already have plans to mention the situation and/or that Dana White or Mark Ratner have already or plan to ask the same of you, but just in case they do not, I thought this letter appropriate.

Thank you.

Warren “Human Swine” Piece
Newyorkfightscene.com

P.S. to all other NY based/born fighters: I implore you to do the same when and if the opportunity arises.

P.S.S. to Nick Diaz: A bill to legalize the use of medical marijuana has also recently been introduced in the NYS legislature, so after you defeat Scott Smith on June 6th, I’d appreciate your support on that front.

Ray Longo is the Mitt!

Creator: The Fight Nerd

Ray Longo, a staple of the New York boxing/MMA scene and coach to fighters such as Matt Serra, Pete Sell and Luke Cummo gives our new buds at The Fight Nerd some tips on holding focus mitts:

Terrors and Sugars and Filipino Assassins and Badasses and Bones(es) and Hammers and Sadollahs, OH MY!

Author: Warren Piece

A slew of NY-based/born MMA fighters are set to do battle in the upcoming months: Matt Serra will finally battle his arch-nemesis, the evil Matt Hughes (in a loser and/or winner retires match…just me speculating…?)  AND Rashad Evans will take on Lyoto Machida for the strap (should be an amazing tilt) AND Phillipe Nover faces Kyle Bradley @ UFC 98; Phil Baroni  (keep the streak alive bro) will battle Joe Riggs @ Strikeforce: Lawler vs Shields; A promising Jon Jones will take on Jake O’Brien @ UFC 100; A reinvigorated, head-kickin’ Matt Hamill will face Brandon Vera in a crucial matchup AND Amir Sadollah will face the great TBA @ UFC 101 in Philly (we’ll be there). Make us proud boyz! NY needs some big W’s!

2 New Articles in Support of MMA in NYS…1 by Matt Serra

The Terror’s Op-Ed Piece in Newsday:

Daily Gazette article:

Northeast-Based Fighters Go 2-3 at UFC 96

Author: Warren “The Chameleon” Piece

UFC 96 featured not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, but 5 fighters hailing from the Northeast region of the US of A.

Unfortunately, 3 of the 5 combatants left the cage with an L on their records. Jim Miller of NJ lost to Gray Maynard via unan dec. That Maynard sure is lookin’ good. NY’s Pete Sell took a beating from a much improved and dangerous looking Matt Brown. And my wife’s fav fighter, Gabe Gonzaga, who fights out of MA, got KO’d by big Shane Carwin (a fight Gonzaga was winning).

In good news, NY’s fabulously tattooed Tamdan McCrory took out Ryan Madigan with ease via strikes and…in SUPER AWESOME news, NY’s Matt Hamill is back in a big way via a scary headkick KO of the Night win over Matt Munoz. The Hammer looked great; loose, in control and happy. Check the vid here.