January 29, 2010
1/30: Ultimate Fighting “KO’d” by Nearly Seven in Ten NYS Voters
New York Governor David Paterson has proposed legalizing mixed martial arts, also known as ultimate fighting, as a way to generate more than 2 million dollars in state revenue, but do registered voters in New York State agree with the move?
©istockphoto.com/Gerville
Many members of the electorate — 68% — disagree with this aspect of Paterson’s 2010-2011 Executive Budget. 29%, on the other hand, agree with the legalization of ultimate fighting. 3% are unsure.
Not surprisingly, more women than men oppose making this controversial sport legal. 82% of women compared with 55% of men believe mixed martial arts should remain banned in the Empire State.
More younger voters than older ones favor the legalization of ultimate fighting. However, even the youngest members of the electorate divide. 50% of those 18 to 29 years old say, “yes,” ultimate fighting should become part of the New York sports scene while 50% report it should not. Opposition to Mr. Paterson’s proposal increases with voter age. 54% of those 30 to 44, 73% of voters 45 to 59, and 82% of those 60 and older all say mixed martial arts should not be legalized.
Disapproval with the governor’s push to legalize mixed martial arts spans the state, but more voters in New York City compared with those in its suburbs and upstate oppose mixed martial arts. 74% of voters in the Big Apple oppose the idea while 66% in the suburbs and 66% upstate share this view.