By: Jesse Gillette

The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) announced Wednesday during a hearing in lower Manhattan that fight promoters must provide health insurance coverage amounting to $50,000 per combatant in addition to a $1 million guaranteed coverage per fighter in the event that a fighter suffers a traumatic brain injury. The rules apply to combat sports in New York.

Prior to the hearing, the minimum requirement for basic medical insurance was $10,000 per fighter. It is still unknown what the commission will do about unsanctioned MMA events – some of which are set to take place this month, but that’s a different issue.

While the NYSAC does reserve the right to reduce the health insurance requirements in the future, there is panic that the decision will drive established boxing promoters and to-be MMA promoters away from the state.

.@FrontRowBrian Various numbers have been floated around, but it sounds like $750 per fighter up front is the most optimistic quote. — jim genia (@jim_genia) August 31, 2016

According to Jim Genia, a New York-based MMA journalist, $750 per fighter up front would be in line with what a promoter might pay if they were to hold an event in New York – and that was the most optimistic quote. The actual figures may be higher.

Boxing is already on its way out of the state, as George Willis of the New York Post reports that on Sept. 9 Brooklyn’s Danny Jacobs will defend his WBA middleweight championship in a rematch with Sergio Mora – in Pennsylvania instead of New York. Their first fight took place in Brooklyn, but the rematch will take place in Pennsylvania because boxing promoters can’t keep up with the new insurance requirements that will go into effect on Sept. 1.

Jacobs had fought seven of his last nine fights in New York, and was just recently named the face of Brooklyn Boxing, a brand that may now struggle without professional boxing in the state. More information about the decision to hold the boxing match in Pennsylvania can be found here.

Can @ringofcombat @CFFCMMA or any other regional promotion afford to put on shows in New York City? — Gabriel Toribio (@MonstaMoment) August 31, 2016

The Ultimate Fighting Championship will hold the first UFC event in New York since the mid 90’s when UFC 205 comes to Madison Square Garden in November. It is currently believed that the UFC and Bellator will be able to hold mixed martial arts events in New York without much of a financial burden, but smaller organizations looking to capitalize on the fight game may need to look elsewhere to book their shows until all the kinks are worked out.

Anyone hoping that the NYSAC may change their tune after backlash from Wednesday’s decision may be in for a letdown. In a statement Wednesday after the hearing, officials had this to say, "From discussions with insurers about to enter the market, we believe the costs will be reasonable. Ultimately, the frequency and severity of life-threatening brain injuries incurred in New York State will drive the premiums. NYSAC believes the best way to keep premiums down is to keep injuries to a minimum."

The regulations which were passed today may be found in full here at the NYSAC website.