UFC issues statement after New York judge blocks MMA event

The New York vs. MMA saga continued today after New York District Court Judge Kimba Wood shot down the UFC’s preliminary injunction to bypass the New York MMA ban and hold Jones vs. Cormier II at the Madison Square Garden.

UFC COO Lawrence Epstein released a statement on the matter, which was obtained by MMAMania.

“We are disappointed by the District Court’s denial of our motion for a preliminary injunction and its effort to redirect the litigation to the state courts. One thing, and one thing only, prevents Madison Square Garden and other New York venues from hosting UFC events that are allowed in the other 49 States in the Union — that is the New York law that we believe violates the federal Constitution. Today’s decision, while disappointing, only underscores the importance of UFC’s pending appeal to the Second Circuit. UFC will evaluate this decision with an eye to pursuing every effective avenue to bring New Yorkers the same live events available to spectators throughout the United States. We are very hopeful that the New York State legislature, either through a stand alone bill or via the Governor’s budget, will approve MMA in NY as soon as possible.”

Will we ever see an MMA event being held in New York?