First UFC card since ban was lifted to be in Madison Square Garden on Nov. 12

At a signing ceremony to formalize the legalization of mixed martial arts in New York Thursday, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta said that the promotion would hold its first event in the state since a ban on MMA was instituted in 1997 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 12. He also said a second event would be held in New York prior to the end of the year, but said the date and venue was not finalized.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill Thursday that became a formality after years of effort when it passed the state assembly on March 22 by an overwhelming 113-25 vote. Cuomo raved about the impact hosting mixed martial arts events in New York would have on tourism and said he was looking forward to attending the event, which will be UFC 205, at Madison Square Garden.

Several prominent fighters, including ex-champions Chris Weidman and Ronda Rousey, attended the ceremony. Rousey spoke from the dais and thanked lawmakers for the vote to legalize the sport. She also introduced Cuomo for his remarks.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody who made this dream come true for me and all the other MMA athletes who always just wanted the opportunity to be able to do what we love in I think the pinnacle of professional sports here in Madison Square Garden," Rousey said.

Cuomo called the signing ceremony "a great day, a fun day and a special day," and noted that estimates are that Las Vegas has an average annual economic impact of just under $200 million. Fertitta has promised to put four events per year in New York and Bellator is interested in promoting there, as well.

Cuomo singled out Rousey and Weidman in his remarks and said he will attend the Nov. 12 show.

"Speaking as a prideful New Yorker and with a tad of New York arrogance, I think this completes the journey for MMA," Cuomo said. "Coming to New York means you're coming to the place. Madison Square Garden is the international icon for great sports events. MMA is going to be in this Garden, in this beautiful, redone Garden, that [owner] Mr. [James] Dolan himself has really made a spectacular forum. That is really the culmination for MMA.

"So welcome to New York. It's a pleasure to have you. Thank you for sticking with us and going through the long challenge. We're very excited you're here."

Cuomo said the New York State Athletic Commission would expand in size and would add "MMA experts" so that it could properly regulate it. He said the sport's economic benefits for the state "are undeniable."

He said he had spoken to Fertitta about putting shows in upstate New York near the Canadian border where it could attract tourism dollars. He specifically cited Buffalo as an example. But he, like everyone, is most eager for the Nov. 12 show in Madison Square Garden.

"I'm very excited about the November match here at the Garden," Cuomo said. "I'm not a promoter, but boy, if Ronda Rousey fought here in November, that would be a hell of an event."

Rousey is scheduled to return to the UFC around that time, so it is likely she will make her first appearance in the Octagon since losing her women's bantamweight title to Holly Holm last year.