Anthony Paramithis of Tottenville is getting a flying-kick out of Governor Cuomo’s recent move to legalize mixed martial arts in the state.

"Hopefully it will urge people to compete and that's something I'd like to do in the future," said the 21 year-old. 

He isn’t stepping into the cage anytime soon, but MMA is in his blood. His father Pete Paramithis runs Island Martial Arts in Eltingville, and says the legalization of the sport could be a knockout victory for Island fighters and businesses.​

"I know a lot of them go to other states and train over there now," said Paramithis, an eighth degree black belt. "They have to go down there to compete, they can't do it here. So hopefully, this keeps them back in New York." 

Robert Kim, owner of Dragon Kim's Karate USA in New Dorp agrees. "All the hometown fans could watch hometown fighters and support them in our state," said the Master Instructor.

The bill repeatedly passed the State Senate but was for years held up in the Assembly. Critics argued the sport is too violent and questioned its economic benefits. But supporters, like this trainer who referees in New Jersey, says the bill isn’t just about money because the bill also protects amateur fighters. 

"They're called underground shows, they're done without doctors, without medical attention whatsoever."  

"What we're looking out for is the safety of the athletes who take part in the sport and it's a sport that's popular here in Staten Island," said Assemblyman Michael Cusick. 

Meanwhile, Paramithis says there are other benefits to regulating the sport. He says as more people become familiar with all the different fighting styles, the more he expects business to boom.

"Muay Thai, Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ... I think if there is more demand for it, we could start adding more stuff to the classroom," he said. "We cut some of the classes because sometimes there's not enough interest in certain things."

"A lot more people of all ages will come to our facilities to learn in a safe environment," said Kim. 

Officials say there could be fights at Madison Square Garden by November. Until then, 67 year-old Island Martial Arts student Agnes Giantini finds her kickboxing classes empowering.  

"I feel so much stronger," she said. 

And like many other martial arts students, more savvy in self-defense.