Mixed Martial Arts could soon be legal in the Empire State after the State Senate passes a bill legalizing Mixed Martial Arts in New York. As our Mike Whittemore reports, the bill is now on its way to the Assembly, where its fate is unclear.

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NEW YORK STATE -- It's round two for Mix Martial Arts in New York State.

Blurring party lines, the State Senate voted 42 to 18 Monday to legalize MMA, or ultimate fighting, as it's known. If signed into law, New York would be the 32nd state to do so.

Advocates, including the bill's sponsor, Syracuse-area Senator Joe Griffo, say the measure could be a boon to the state's economy, drawing an estimated $5 to $10 million per event to communities across the state. So as a recognized sport, Griffo says, why not have New York cash in?

"It's on network television now, it's on cable. You can access it on websites like ESPN, so it's an organized sport, which has immense popularity," Griffo said.

Opponents, however, point say moral and safety concerns should outweigh the state's cash-flow problems. Senator Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat called the sport a bad example for children and said damage to fighters appears underreported.

"I don't think we should pass a law in New York State that would allow ultimate fighting to take place in our state without even the standards and protections and rules that are mandated by federal and state law for the sport of boxing," Krueger said.

But the sport is a lot safer than it appears, well, at least that's the assessment of someone brave enough to step into the ring who was here to lobby lawmakers to vote yes on the bill.

Jon "Bones" Jones, 26, a Southern Tier native and light heavyweight UFC champion. Jones says the UFC has a bad rap because of how it started, but has come a long way over time to gain the public's trust.

"The original UFC that came, there wasn't as many rules to protect the fighters like 'fish-hooking' and pulling hair; it was very barbaric at first. The UFC has come a very long way. There are so many rules and regulations and testing to make sure that we're as healthy and safe as possible," Jones said.

The measure also has bi-partisan support in the Democratic-controlled Assembly, but its future still remains uncertain as it has yet to make it out of committee. Governor Andrew Cuomo has not yet taken a position on the issue.