Ontario to allow MMA starting in 2011

August 14th, 2010admin

Mark down Saturday August 11, 2010 as a huge day for MMA.  Ontario is a huge hotbed for mma fanatics, barring the highest fanbase probably in the world.  With the help of new UFC Canada boss Tom Wright, VP Marc Ratner, and of course Dana White and the Fertittas, they have finally defeated the ignorant mixed martial arts naysayers.

McGuinty wasn’t available Saturday to explain the flip flop, leaving it to Consumer Services Minister Sophia Aggelonitis, who said regulating MMA was the best way to keep the fighters safe.

“We have always said that we would be monitoring mixed martial arts and we have been doing that for some time,” said Aggelonitis.

“We need to have a system in place where we regulate it; that’s the only way I can control the safety of competitors.”

The province will adopt the same rules for MMA events that are widely used across North America, and the sport will be regulated by the Ontario Athletic Commission, which already oversees boxing.

“We have an Athletics Control Act … and we have to make sure the rules that apply in that act are going to be the same for MMA sports,” said Aggelonitis.

Of course Money was probably the biggest reason why the incompetent Dalton McGuinty flipflopped and in the end why regulation will take place.

So where should UFC take place in Ontario?  Skydome or Air Canada Center.  Or some other city like Ottawa or Hamilton (probably not but lets not discount those places for further smaller events like WECs or fight nights.).

Note: according to Sportsnet – March 27, 2011 will be the first UFC event in Toronto/Ontario.  Will they holdoff on GSP vs Kos until then?  UFC in Ontario March 27 2011   Woohoo!