ERST LESEN! » ortunate for him because to me, h

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Professional mixed martial arts are off to a rollicking start in New York state, two months after lawmakers ended its status as the only state to ban the popular sport.While there have been a handful of bouts in the state since the change took effect, an upcoming UFC event at Madison Square Garden is expected to be the true coming-out party. Promoters say its likely just the start of a long relationship between New York City and mixed martial arts.It should have been legal in New York 15 years ago, said Scott Coker, president of promoter Bellator MMA, which is hoping to hold an event next year at the Garden or at Barclays Center. Were going to bring a big, big show, probably the biggest card in the history of Bellator.The homecoming is particularly sweet for fighters from New York state who have had to travel elsewhere to fight professionally.This is a dream come true, middleweight Chris Weidman said in September. A native New Yorker, he who will be one of several fighters in Saturdays pay-per-view UFC event.With its prominent place in boxing history, Madison Square Garden is a natural for mixed martial arts. Joel Fisher, an executive vice president at the Garden, said its only fitting that the first UFC fight in New York state is taking place at `The Worlds Most Famous Arena, one of its nicknamesState lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo agreed in April to end the two-decade old ban following years of failed efforts by MMA supporters. The law authorizing the sport took effect in September. Cuomo concluded the move would boost the economy by luring bouts to the nations largest city as well as upstate venues, with one estimate that MMA could generate $137 million in annual economic activity.In response to critics concerned about the sports violence, lawmakers added provisions that raise the insurance required to $50,000 for fighter injuries, a $50,000 death benefit and $1 million for life-threatening brain injuries.The law was also intended to regulate existing amateur mixed martial arts events. KTFO Fights, a Long Island-based promoter, held the first MMA event under the new law, according to KTFO President Nic Canobbio. He said that while UFC and other big promoters might be able to absorb the higher insurance requirements, many smaller promoters cannot.Its a huge expense for promoters like us, and that prevents guys just starting their career from being able to fight in New York, he said. He would like lawmakers to consider tweaking the law to reduce costs on smaller operators.Still, he said, ending the states long ban on professional MMA has been a great win for the sport.New York has some of the best fighters, the best gyms in the country or maybe even the world, he said. These guys who had to go to Jersey or Pennsylvania to fight they can now fight in their backyard.---This story has been corrected to show the last name of the KTFO president is Canobbio, not Cannobio. Stan Smith Uomo Saldi . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. Stan Smith Outlet Italia . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. http://www.stansmithscontate.it/ . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Stan Smith Scontate . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Stan Smith Scontate Uomo . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". NEW ORLEANS -- Their shared numbers are ugly and humbling.At 4-18, the Philadelphia 76ers have the worst record in the NBA and have nine healthy players.Losers of three straight games despite the presence of a league superstar, the 7-15 Pelicans own the sixth-worst record in the NBA and have the flesh wounds to prove it.So when the Pelicans host the 76ers in a match of NBA bottom-feeders Thursday night at the Smoothie King Center, its natural to assume the worst -- of both.Its very frustrating, to be honest with you, said New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry, whose team dropped a 110-108 double-overtime decision at home to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night despite Anthony Davis 28 points and 17 rebounds in 48 1/2 minutes. I just had higher expectations and thought that we would have fewer injuries, to be honest with you.The Pelicans played without point guard Jrue Holiday in the Monday loss Memphis, and his absence was deeply felt. Holiday missed the first six weeks of the season while caring for his wife Lauren, who gave birth to their first child and then underwent successful surgery to remove a benign brain tumor.When Holiday returned to the lineup, the Pelicans won a season-best five consecutive games at home, but Holiday sustained a turf toe injury during a Sunday night loss at OKC. The pain was so debilitating that Holiday could not push off on his left foot.Holidays status for the 76ers game is uncertain.I didnt know how excruciating it could be, Holiday said on Wednesday. People dont understand that when you hurt your toe, you cant do anything. If I could walk on my hands I would or if I could just cut it off it would be great.Amputation might be considered going a little bit beyond the NBAs standard players contract.While Gentry is trying to plug leaks in his lineup -- guarrd ETwaun Moore missed the Memphis game with a toe injury and forward Dante Cunningham has a broken bone in his leg -- he is hoping his players can soldier through.ddddddddddddLittle irritants have blossomed into bigger problems. The Pelicans held solid leads against Memphis at the end of regulation and at the close of the first overtime period but allowed the Grizzlies to make big shots to extend the game.Gentry took the blame for one late-game snafu -- he drew up an inbounds play that had the ball being thrown in from the opposite side of the court.One of them we drew up on the right side of the floor and the ball was on the left side, Gentry said. I take full responsibility for that. Im not going to dodge anything.Davis leads the NBA in scoring (31.6) and blocks (2.81) and is sixth in rebounding (11.4), but his heavy lifting is beginning to wear him down. He also leads the NBA in minutes played (38.0).Its just unfortunate for him because to me, hes having an unbelievable, MVP season, Gentry said. When I think about what hes done and the defenses hes faced and still the numbers hes put up -- not just offensive numbers but being able to lead the league in blocked shots and being really solid defensively -- its unfortunate.The Sixers had just nine players available in a 96-91 loss at Memphis on Tuesday night, and Jerryd Bayless (left wrist), Robert Covington (left knee sprain) and Jahlil Okafor (gastroenteritis) are not expected to join the team in New Orleans.This (was) our fourth game in five nights, said coach Brett Brown. We came down with nine guys, and youre playing against a veteran, tough, playoff-hard Memphis team. I was proud of their effort. ' ' '