New York just became the last state in the nation to legalize officially sanctioned mixed martial arts fights.
In 1997, just as the sport was gaining popularity in the United States, New York banned revenue-generating professional bouts, but on Tuesday, a bill reversing the ban passed the state assembly by a 113-25 vote.
Despite passing by an overwhelming majority, Vice reports the bill was heavily debated, with some representatives arguing MMA is nothing more than “barbaric entertainment masquerading as a sport.”
New York state Rep. Ellen Jaffee argued the sport “harms women victimized by the glorification of distorted masculinity.”
Additionally, openly gay Rep. Daniel O’Donnell described MMA as “two nearly naked hot guys rolling around on each other.”
“That’s gay porn with a different ending,” he explained.
The bill will soon head to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s desk and will go into effect 120 days after he signs it into law.