New York has taken a step closer to regulating mixed martial arts and repealing a ban on the sport that was imposed across the state 13 years ago. The New York State Senate yesterday approved most of a budget proposal put forward by Governor Paterson and budget director Robert Megna. The budget proposal included provisions to change state legislation and “authorize the conduct and regulation of professional mixed martial arts sporting events in New York State” with the New York State Athletic Commission being empowered to license fighters and promoters “to ensure the safety and integrity of the sport.” But of more interest to New York legislators is probably the part which states “The bill would also make provision for the State ...

UFC president Dana White supports the athletic commission guidelines on drug testing mixed martial artists and compared the rigid policies and punishment to other sports’ testing programs to the media following Saturday’s UFC 108 in Las Vegas. “They can test us how ever they want to test us. That’s up to the athletic commission. I don’t like steroids in fighting,” stated White. “When you go out and you hit a (expletive) ball over a wall, who gives a (expletive)? Who cares what you’re on? I don’t care what you’re doing or what you’re on. When you can get on top of a guy and elbow and punch another guy in the face you should be tested, and you shouldn’t be using ...