Gov. Paterson's plan to balance the budget by allowing no-holds-barred cage fighting is surprisingly unpopular with voters, according to a recent study. A new Marist poll indicates that 68 percent of voters oppose the plan to legalize ultimate fighting, which Paterson believes will bring in an estimated $2.1 million in tax revenue.
Though male voters were far more likely to support the plan than female voters, the majority of voters of both genders oppose it (men oppose legalizing mixed martial arts matches 55 percent to 43 percent, while women oppose it 82 percent to 15 percent, according to the Daily News). Among voters aged 18 to 29, Paterson's plan only netted an approval rating of 50 percent. "Even among those groups who are more supportive, it still doesn't run up the score," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Poll. "I think people find it too much on the violent side and not enough on the revenue side to matter."
Ultimate Fighting Championship spokeswoman Julie Wood said the benefits of the sport—which has been derided as "human cockfighting"—far outweigh its negatives. "We understand that not everyone is going to be a fan of mixed martial arts, but UFC sells out arenas coast to coast and would do the same in New York and the tax revenue and economic impact of those events would benefit all New Yorkers."
