UFC News: Dana White and company plan to run two annual shows in New York, including one at Madison Square Garden, if MMA is regulated in New York

UFC president Dana White held a press conference at Madison Square Garden in New York on Thursday. He announced that the company would run a pair of events in New York in the first year once the sport is regulated in the state. He also stated that one of those events would take place at Madison Square Garden.

"It’s time to bring the fastest growing sport in the world to New York and Madison Square Garden," White said in a press release issued by UFC. "We already know that New York is filled with UFC fans who want to see live UFC events in their home state. With the economic benefits that UFC would bring to New York, it’s time for UFC to do Madison Square Garden."

Powell's POV: I caught the majority of the press conference that aired on the UFC website. Dana and company tried to stress the economic impact that staging a UFC show could have. He also took media questions and stressed more than once that there have not been any deaths or major injuries in the history of the UFC.

This was clearly a public relations move designed to generate some buzz to get the sport regulated in New York. It would be a huge move for UFC to get into New York, and it will be interesting to see what the reaction is of the top sports writers in the area. Personally, I think it's ridiculous that the sport isn't regulated yet, but it appears the company will need to jump through a lot of political hoops to make it happen.