Financial disclosure forms show that Zuffa, LLC — the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship — spent more than a half-million dollars over the past seven years to lobby New York politicians to end the state’s ban on professional mixed martial arts bouts in the state. The contributions include more than $111,000 to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is expected to sign the latest bill into law should it reach his desk.

A bill before the New York State Assembly would end the ban but also require oversight of the sport. Cuomo advocated for the sport’s legalization earlier this year.

“The governor seeks to authorize both amateur and professional MMA and will ensure that contests happen under either the supervision of the New York State Athletic Commission or an alternative authorized sanctioning entity,” according to a briefing book prepared by Cuomo’s office according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. “It will place firm controls on MMA, its participants and promoters that ensure the protection of fighters and fans.”

Zuffa also donated nearly $17,000 to Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle and $23,500 to Senator Joseph A. Griffo. The two led the UFC on an upstate tour to drum up support for the sport earlier this year.

The 19-year ban makes New York the only state to not allow competitive MMA bouts, which has posed problems for the sport as it tries to hold events in places such as Madison Square Garden. UFC fights have taken place in Newark, N.J., which is only a short ride from the Big Apple, but New York’s prohibition denies the state the tax benefits from holding events there.

Cuomo’s budget, according the Poughkeepsie Journal, believes the state will take in $1 million from permit fees and a tax on ticket sales if fights are legalized.

New York is far from the only state where Zuffa, LLC has opened its pockets. In 2013-14 it spent over $60,000 to lobby on two bills in California and more than a half-million in Nevada since 2008.

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