Big day for NYC venues. UFC unveiled a slate of moves to bring MMA to NY and has scheduled the organization’s first, professional event in New York since the state’s ban in 1997. Set for Madison Square Garden on April 23, 2016, it will feature “UFC’s top champions competing with other world-class athletes inside the Octagon.” In addition, the promotion is also taking additional steps through the federal courts to ensure the event’s success, filing a case in federal court, reiterating its claim that the state law banning MMA events is unconstitutional. Later this week, the company will ask a federal judge to issue a preliminary injunction against New York state officials “enforcing its unconstitutional law.”

“We believe fight fans have waited long enough to experience live UFC events in the state of New York and we are thrilled to announce our first event at Madison Square Garden,” UFC Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Epstein said. “Professional MMA is legal around of the world and it is about time New York followed suit.”