The Senate once again approved the legalization today of mixed-martial arts in New York, but the measure faces an uncertain future in the Assembly.

The bill was approved 47 to 14, gaining the support of Republicans and Democrats in the coalition-led Senate.

Opponents of the legalization bill say the sport is far too brutal to be allowed in the state, but some backers of the United Fighting Championship league have pointed to unrest with a Las Vegas-based union as the reason why the measure continues to fail in Albany.

Supporters, meanwhile, point to the benefits the legalization the sport could have on economic development and tourism.

“New York needs to capitalize on opportunities that would continue strengthening our economy,” Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos said in a statement. “I applaud Senator Griffo for leading the charge to legalize MMA in New York to help create new jobs, generate revenue, and bring our state in line with nearly every other state.”

The main sponsor of MMA legalization, Sen. Joe Griffo, has hoped that a UFC event could even come to Utica, which he represents.

Activity at the Capitol today had a Groundhog’s Day-like quality to it. Once again, lawmakers approved ostensibly one-house bills (in the Assembly, lawmakers there approved there latest ban on the controversial natural gas drilling process known as hydrofracking for the third time since 2010).

And as they did before, the pro-MMA lobby brought in fighters like Ronda Rousey to sell the sport to skeptical lawmakers.

But the main roadblock is seen in the Democratic-controlled Assembly, where Speaker Sheldon Silver remains ambivalent.

“On the one hand I think it’s something that I personally do not approve of,” Silver told reporters this morning. “On the other hand, you can turn on the television at any time and it’s there and available for my children and grandchildren to watch. We can’t wall off our children from seeing this because it’s readily available to them.”

And yet, things could change. Silver’s new deputy in the chamber, Majority Leader Joe Morelle of the Rochester area, backs the legalization of mixed-martial arts.

Silver acknowledged today that it’s likely some form of UFC-style fighting will be allowed.

“I think at some point there will probably be an approval in this state,” Silver said. “I can’t tell you when.”

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