Mixed Martial Arts fights are providing a real kick and punch to New York’s economy.
State tax revenue generated from professional fights has jumped 707 percent since the state legalized the brutal sport, officials said Wednesday.
Tax revenue from professional boxing and wrestling generated $939,495 in taxes from Sept. 1, 2014, to Aug. 31, 2016 — before MMA was approved.
But revenue for all combat sports from Sept. 1, 2016, to Aug. 31, 2018 — the two-year period after MMA or “Ultimate Fighting” events were held in New York — jumped to $7.6 million.
The government collects sales tax revenue from ticket sales as well as 3 percent tax or up to $50,000 for each simulcast of the fights.
Total revenue — including ticket sales and simulcasting — shot up 205 percent, from $31.9 million to $97.2 million.
The number of tickets sold for boxing and wrestling events was 333,529 before MMA.
That number surged to 530,143 after MMA fights were added.
MMA allows contestants use a variety of fighting styles and submission holds, including boxing, kick boxing, wrestling, judo and jiu-jitsu.
New York was the last state to lift a ban on MMA fights that had been in effect for 20 years.
Critics claimed MMA fights were too brutal, likening them to cockfights.
But promoters have since tightened rules, outlawing kicks or knee strikes to the head of a grounded opponent, for example.