By Faith Jessie.

New York State Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo says the votes are there to legalize professional mixed martial arts in New York.


UFC officials met with state representatives in Albany Tuesday to discuss the ongoing battle to legalize the sport.


Amateur MMA matches are held throughout the state but they are currently unregulated.


Assemblywoman Lupardo says although there was some opposition Governor Cuomo placed legalization of MMA in his budget. She expects the legislature to follow suit.


"I'm very optimistic that we are going to pass it because in addition to legalizing it, we also have in place, a very strict regimen overseeing this particular sport, making sure safety is the highest priority and adding additional insurance and other oversights that, I think will make people feel more comfortable about it moving forward," said Lupardo.


New York is currently the only state in the United States that has not legalized the sport.


This weekend local MMA fighter Tamdan Mccrory is taking Fox 40 to the mat, so tune in for an inside look.