The UFC has taken out a $1million insurance policy to cover all of the fighters on the 205 card against potential brain injury.
New laws passed by the the state's athletic commission earlier this year introduced mandatory higher insurance rates for combat sports, which was a crucial point in the state legalising MMA this year, having been banned since 1997.
The card, which takes place in Madison Square Garden on November 12th, will cost the promotion a total $43,550 in insurance bills, with each one of the 26 fighters requiring a $1,675 policy.
While the new law being openly welcomed from fighters and fans, there has been a backlash from the boxing world, with promoters claiming the cost makes it far too difficult to run events.
Bob Arum, Top Rank's CEO, has accused the UFC of trying freeze out other fight promotions by advocating for the higher insurance policy while lobbying the state for the sports legalisation, a process which according to former owner Lorenzo Fertitta cost the company roughly $2million.
Arum believes that the UFC are trying to monopolise the combat sports market in the state by making it too expensive for other promotions to put on cards, while fellow boxing promoter Lou DiBella has cancelled the remainder of his cards in the state this year.
Via ESPN
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