Mixed martial arts (MMA) may not be legal in the state of New York (yet), but that hasn't stopped Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) from booking a year-end pay-per-view (PPV) event for Madison Square Garden, expected to be UFC 194 on Dec. 5, 2015.

Nothing wrong with a little optimism.

"We have a date," UFC President Dana White told Newsday. "You know we're going to have a lot of New Yorkers fighting on the New York card," White said. "We do that in every market we go in. Plus, the first ever at the Garden, I mean, some of these guys' dreams are to fight at the Garden."

What's changed in the last seven years?

Personnel, mostly. Some of the geriatric tightwads who shouted down MMA supporters in the state legislature are no longer in power, paving way for the next generation of lawmakers who recognize not just the popularity, but also the economic impact live events can bring to the "Empire State."

Why should Jersey have all the fun?

The bill to legalize MMA heads to the Assembly in June and if it makes it through, would then have to be signed into law by Governor Cuomo.

Fingers crossed!