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Mcguinty says legalizing mixed martial arts (UFC) is "not a priority"
I guess hes too busy banning things... i love how the leader of the opposition calls him "premier dad"!
Do they not realize how many people would come here for this from western new york alone?? Not to mention anywhere else thats starving for entertainment. Truly mcnanny banny is out of touch with reality.
| quote: | Premier Dalton McGuinty and PC Leader Tim Hudak are squaring off over the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
McGuinty told reporters Wednesday his government has better things to do right now than focus on bringing mixed martial arts matches to Ontario.
“It’s just not a priority for us at this point,” McGuinty said. “We have higher priorities when it comes to developing ... jobs and strengthening the economy.”
Hudak doesn’t believe the premier can afford to pass up an opportunity to bring the wildly popular sport to Ontario.
“Let’s just get on with it — I mean 40 states allow for mixed martial arts, five other provinces,” Hudak said. “Just direct your minister to make it happen in the province of Ontario. Let’s bring some tourist dollars to our province.”
Ontario remains one of the last jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S. to outlaw mixed martial events, despite repeated urging from UFC officials to open up the potentially lucrative market.
In a televised interview before Christmas, McGuinty said he would consider their pleas but it now seems clear he has put the issue on to the back burner again.
UFC officials say Ontarians are their biggest fans and predict a crowd of 35,000-40,000 would attend an event in Toronto.
Fans now flock to Quebec or other jurisdictions to get their UFC fix.
The Criminal Code of Canada prohibits prizefighting but individual provinces can choose to exempt sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts.
Ontario would need to amend its Athletics Control Act to permit the activity.
Consumer Services Minister Sophia Aggelonitis repeated McGuinty’s message that changes to accommodate the sport in Ontario are not planned for the immediate future.
“We are definitely watching this sport,” she said. “We know how popular it is and we will re-look at it but right now it’s not a government priority.”
Aggelonitis said she has seen the sport on TV but wouldn’t provide details on why Ontario is holding out on the UFC.
A McGuinty government spokesperson previously told the Sun that any new sport must be reviewed to ensure it is safe for participants and spectators.
Hudak said McGuinty seems more interested in banning things — like candy in schools and pit bulls — than he is concerned with bringing tourism dollars to Toronto and Ontario.
“He’s becoming very much like a Premier Dad,” Hudak said.
Boxing has way more deaths and serious injuries. Why? The standing 8 count. UFC doesnt have a standing 8, once the ref says you're done, fight over. It amazes me when we allow boxing yet stand on soap boxes crying this sport is barbaric.
MMA = Mixed Martial Arts. It's a combination of different discplines, all legitimate in their own right. Your kids probably watch Kung Fu movies and play games with more gore and violence. This sport is an excellent combination of skill, strength and stamina. Amazing, boxers fight once a year. MMA guys can fight 4 to 5 times a year. Less injuries, better fitness.
All you people who call this barbaric better take away your kids DS as there worse crap there |
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| quote: | Originally posted by jester
Everything in this country is illegal. |
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery…" Winston Churchill
"If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law" - Winston Churchill
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