Madison Square Gardens (photo via Wikipedia)

By FCF Staff

Although professional mixed-martial-arts isn’t sanctioned in New York State yet, the UFC has announced it has booked New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden for April 23rd, 2016.

The official announcement, which was posted on UFC.com, included the following statements:

“On September 28, UFC filed a new case in federal court, reiterating its claim that the New York law banning MMA events is unconstitutional.  This out-of-date law is too unclear for the public to understand, and has allowed regulators in New York to pick and choose arbitrarily what events they will permit.  Events featuring every combat sport except MMA seem to be allowed in New York, though this is not explicitly stated in the law.  The statute, and the state’s pattern of enforcing it, violates the Constitution’s prohibition on unconstitutionally vague laws.

Later this week, UFC will ask a federal judge to issue a preliminary injunction against New York state officials enforcing its unconstitutional law. Without such an injunction, the event at Madison Square Garden will not be able to proceed.”

The announcement did not name any specific fighters who will compete at the event. Many fighters who are from the region, including Chris Weidman and Jon Jones, have said they want to fight in MSG.