UFC sues NY over MMA ban

The UFC claims that New York's ban on live professional MMA fighting is unconstitutional and violates the organizations' first amendment rights. On Tuesday, the U.F.C. sued the state in Manhattan federal court.

“The linchpin is convincing the court that the ban is aimed at the content of the entertainment as opposed to the safety of the fighters,” said Tom Kelley, a partner at Levine Sullivan Koch & Schulz. “Attempts to regulate entertainment based on its violent message have been largely unsuccessful.”  

There is no question in my mind the the NY ban is due to the violent nature of the sport, and the desire of the state to "protect" its citizens from the vicious spectacle that Sen. John McCain has labeled "human cockfighting." This should be interesting.