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UFC coming to Toronto.
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| She_Fitz |
See was that too difficult.
This will be massive. |
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| Jeff Button |
| quote: | Originally posted by SkyHigh
yep |
There is a UFC headquarters opening in Toronto, this does not mean that the city can host any MMA related events.
Though MMA is not sanctioned in Ontario, Wright said lobbying the provincial government is his top priority.
“This is a process and it takes time,” Wright said. “It’s not always consistent time. Depending on the state or province it can take more time. But ultimately the goal is to make a commitment to the entire country and to build a business and brand here. |
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| SkyHigh |
| Yea but it still coming.. :p |
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| Jeff Button |
| quote: | Originally posted by SkyHigh
Yea but it still coming.. :p |
This is a good first step, but it's still a long way away from actually being here. |
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| MarkT |
it's significantly more complicated than that...
since some clowns here have attempted to dump this all on McGuinty (surprise)...the following is my understanding of the matter, being a longtime MMA, kickboxing, etc. fan and following this topic for a while. anyone with info to the contrary, feel free to correct this:
AFAIK, there is an old archaic federal law that essentially prohibits prizefighting. Other provinces, notably Quebec and Alberta, have hosted MMA events for ~10yrs or so, *technically* in defiance of that legislation. some argue that as long as the provincial commissions sanction it, it's legal...others disagree. needless to say, they've hosted events for a long time without legal incident.
essentially, the feds have not enforced the law. Some provincial athletic commissions have chosen to accept whatever potential liability/risk exists, with those governing bodies placing the onus on orgs to secure adequate health and liability insurance in order to sanction their events.
Ontario's lame-duck commissions have chosen not to do so (and in fact have prosecuted a couple of small orgs who have tried to host events on aboriginal land in an attempt to skirt the law). the commissions here have also not done a whole lot to help legalize MMA, leaving it to orgs to lobby gov't, develop guidelines, etc...which obviously costs a lot of time and money. It took ~5yrs for Muay Thai to receive official amateur status, thanks largely to the efforts of a few people who were willing to put in that time and money.
there are many reasons why people suspect that to be the case here, but suffice to say that many feel that the head of the OAC here is simply no fan of MMA and has been quoted referring to it as "brutal and barbaric". he and others in the relevant ministries have stated that they have no intention of lobbying gov't, establishing sanctioning rules/guidelines, etc. and will sanction the sport when it is no longer illegal under federal law and when a record of safety is presented after amateur status has been attained...something to that effect.
UFC has no such time/money obstacle and has had Marc Ratner, former head of the Nevada State Athletic commission, on board as a VP for a little while now, in part to specifically assist with expansion plans in other jurisdictions by working with athletic commissions, various levels of gov't, local groups, etc. to gain acceptance.
MMA will indeed be sanctioned here soon enough... |
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| gummybear |
| i wait anxiously...;) |
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| MarkT |
I'm sure UFC is anxious to get in here too :) I imagine there will be *zero* problem selling out the ACC for events!
more important than just the UFC hosting 2-3 events here per year (which is really the max they can pull off at this point, for various reasons) is simply having the sport sanctioned at the amateur and pro levels.
It's a big enough market here that smaller orgs would likely emerge and be profitable. we could see regular events here, at various levels, providing an opportunity for homegrown fighters to not have to travel to compete in their sport. keep in mind that there is not a ton of cash to be made outside of the major orgs and unless you're among the top fighters. even on UFC undercards, these guys are fighting for next to nothing.
(AFAIK, there is already amending legislation in the works at the federal level too, if that is indeed a major obstacle to getting the gov't and commissions on board) |
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| SasH21 |
| woohoo cant wait!!! |
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| Sly_Guy |
| UFC needs to be here. There is way too much support in Canada, and Southern Ontario in particular for the UFC not to be. |
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| vendetta999 |
| quote: | Originally posted by MarkT
I imagine there will be *zero* problem selling out the ACC for events!
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ACC???? for some reason i recall Dana White talking about being able to sell out the SkyDome.
i could be wrong though...
Mind you, im pretty sure its doable. |
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| VDub |
| quote: | Originally posted by vendetta999
ACC???? for some reason i recall Dana White talking about being able to sell out the SkyDome.
i could be wrong though...
Mind you, im pretty sure its doable. |
You can't put that in a stadium...
UFC is an arena event...
Can you imagine watching from the 500's? I wouldn't buy that ticket... |
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