UFC 97 (April 18th, Montreal) was supposed to be a triumphant return to the city that gave the UFC its fastest-selling, most well-attended event in history. But even though last year's UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre 2 was such an overwhelming success, the Quebec Athletic Commission may block the UFC from holding future events there under traditional MMA rules. As Sportnet.ca reports:
Due to circumstances surrounding
the fallout from an event held last week in Montreal, the Quebec Athletic Commission (under the Régie des Alcools, des Courses et des Jeux) is re-evaluating rules that govern the sport of mixed martial arts within the province, according to Sportsnet sources.
To date, the QAC has been following the Unified Rules of MMA in North America. But since laws differ by city, state or province, a commission can insist on its own rules, which could differ drastically.
Changes the commission may implement could affect UFC 97, the Las Vegas-based promotion's second event in Canada...Sources say these could include a requirement for a much smaller cage than the UFC's patented Octagon, prohibiting elbow and knee strikes and requiring that the referee halt a bout should a fighter get knocked down from a strike in order to ensure the downed fighter is okay to continue.
Representatives from the commission told Sportsnet.ca the UFC will have to follow the rules set forth by the commission if they wish to hold their show in Montreal. Marc Ratner, the UFC's vice president of government and regulatory affairs, is fully aware of the new situation and is hopeful that ongoing discussions with the commission will prove that this will not jeopardize the UFC's return to the province.
Obviously, there's no way the UFC would agree to such a compromised version of their product, and they're probably looking for a backup arena somewhere else just to be safe. (Which is a bummer if you're a Canadian UFC fan, considering 13,000 tickets to the event have already been sold.) But here's where things go from upsetting to just plain bizarre...
Apparently, the Unified Rules of MMA weren't allowed in Quebec last year either:
Réjean Thériault, the communications director for the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux, which governs alcohol, racing, gambling and combat sports in Quebec, told CorusSports the UFC's use of elbows and knees to the head do not currently fall in line with the commission's policies.
The commission's current policies only apply to boxing, kickboxing and mixed boxing and do not provide regulations on the use of a cage.
Thursday's revelation was particularly curious considering the UFC held the highest-attended event in company history, "UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre 2," in Montreal nearly one year ago. According to the report, the commission was unaware of the UFC's 2008 event — attended by more than 21,000 people and generating $5.1 million in ticket sales — until just a few days ago.
Unbelievable. You'd think that at least one person on the board that governs combat sports would have at least a passing awareness of the UFC. Add it to your Google Alerts, guys, it's not hard. We'll keep you updated on the situation, but it doesn't look good. In the meantime, shake your fist at promoter Stephane Patry and hapless fighter James "The Colossus" Thompson, who may have sunk MMA in Quebec for the foreseeable future.
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Comments
The Doug Says:
Idiots. "Requiring that the referee halt a bout should a fighter get knocked down from a strike in order to ensure the downed fighter is okay to continue," (also known as the standing eight count) is one of the things that makes boxing MORE dangerous than MMA.
I can't believe these kinds of misconceptions exist with people who run athletic commissions.
Canadian Guy Says:
this is bullshit.
REAL_MMA Says:
OMG! whats next?!?! why don't we just give them pillows...
Refund their money and never go back to Canada again!!
Dynamite!! Says:
GSP needs to go bitchslap the commission.
Leopold Stotch Says:
Blame Canada
shitwhistle Says:
Did you know that Canada is America's hat?
Which, of course, means Mexico is our socks.
Shitwhistle... here to help.
Old, Bald and Irish Says:
WHAAAAAT?
They didn't even KNOW the event took place? And they're the comminsion that regulates that sport?
Wow...I thought things were bad in the US, you poor Canucks are screwed.
I blame War Machine. he must have had a hand in this.
...actually, I know War Machine had nothing to do with this, but I just wanted to bring up his name to piss off the whiners who keep sayng "Waaagh...you guys are always talkin' about War Machine...waaaagh!"
SHUT UP, WHINERS!
war machine...
War machine...
WAr machine...
WAR machine...
WAR Machine...
WAR MAchine...
WAR MAChine...
WAR MACHine...
WAR MACHIne...
WAR MACHINe...
WAR MACHINE!!!
Canadian hoser Says:
I thibk it's the fact that the card sucks, the commision wants the ufc to put on a better card. Take this shit somewhere else liddel vs shogun, leites vs silva who cares. I bet if they brought a better card they would have no problem.
elusive Says:
lol canadians fail
Anonymous Says:
Gsp was the canadian athlete of the year. You would think these dumbasses would get a f'in clue. If gsp is truly the nations hero, then how did these guys not know about the previous fight? I'm calling major bullshit by commission on this one. The ufc should pack it's bags now and tell the retarded canadians to f off for trying to pull a stunt like this. Damn canadians trying to play stupid. What a joke.
Anonymous Says:
☼☼☼Dana calls promotion team☼☼☼
Dana : "Hey, did you remember to call Montreal last week?"
Recent College Grad : "Uh, yeah, yeah Dana, we took care of that..."
Dana : "Are you f***ing sure?"
RCG : "Yeah man, no problems..."
Dana : "Alright good, do you remember what I told you when I brought you into this business?"
RCG : "Yeah of course, you said 'Do I want to be a f***ing fight promoter?'"
Dana : "No, I said do YOU want to be a f***ing fight promoter..."
RCG : "Yeah that's what I meant I just..."
Dana : "F*** it bro, just f*** it..."
Goog Says:
It was probably all just a matter of miscommunication, because I don't think there's anyone in the world, even Canada, that doesn't know James Thompson will eventually hit the ground.
Canadian hoser Says:
The cheesy graphics on the poster maybe they thought it was elite xc.
Treebs Says:
#23498029358 on the list of why Canada blows
Spagetti and Murderballs Says:
I can't see their commission in these hard economic times just saying fuck off UFC. Go take your millions in possible revenue for Quebec elsewhere. I would like to know what happened in that other event that got their panties all in a twist. Get on it CP!
mayhem420 Says:
Friday at a Strikebox/Titans Fighting event in Montreal.
That event, promoted by former TKO president Stephan Patry, aimed to utilize MMA striking rules, but negated the ground aspect of the sport. However, the commission advised Patry that the proposed rule changes would not be allowed, and that the show would follow MMA regulations instead.
A private agreement amongst a majority of the fighters to keep the bouts standing was followed until the main event, when British brawler James Thompson took down Steve Bosse and began to ground-and-pound the Canadian hockey enforcer. The crowd of nearly 1,200 spectators erupted in disapproval, throwing chairs and beer cans. The commission called the contest, while the fighters had to be escorted out of the cage by security.
That sucks.... If I was the UFC I would just cancle the event and move it back to the US... maybe some place close to the border?
drummer Says:
My plea, come to Alberta UFC to hell with Quebec.
Spagetti and Murderballs Says:
um....oh yeah. I see that link now. Nm CP. Good work.
mmmiles Says:
Ugh this is depressing. Athletic commissions here are so pathetic, Quebec was really our big hope to get a foot in the door.
The UFC needs to go shopping in the prairies. Sure there are more bible thumpers there, but Ontario is wound a little too tight to probably have any headroom for real MMA here. But damn I bet you could fill the Skydome with a good card, UFC is huge here.
Anonymous Says:
Its almost funny on a totally retard level that u can be the commision and claim not to have known that the ufc sold out their own arena and their own native son gsp was in the main event. what a crock of shit who do they think they r kidding. not just any ufc but the fastest selling highest gate and have a canuck in the main event, is that it? if theres a canadian in the main event its all good if not well enforce the rules what a fn joke i hope the ufc cancells this card there and never returns again. with hotels and food places gettin all the extra money they dont deserve. u guys on the commision have drank way too much molson and lebatts get a f'n clue and try to sell this bs to someone else. f**k canada.
Anonymous Says:
Heh, where is that guy UFC in Calgary... He is always pleading for a Calgary event...
LukeTheDuke Says:
Uhhh. It was James Thompson's fault. They tried to pull some Seth Petruzelli bullshit on him. The people of Quebec are solely responsible for this shit. fuck. shit shit. fuckshit.
Anonymous Says:
As much as Dana White and Zuffa sucks off these guys from the Athletic commissions you wouldn't think something like this would happen.
Anonymous Says:
As a Canadian allow me apologize for the fucking Québécois.
Anonymous Says:
Cancel the event and move elsewhere.
Canadian hoser Says:
wait a minute, before we get into the canada sucks theme lets get some things straight.
-The American government started world war III
-The are running a trillion dollar debt per year for the next 3 years (thats over $3300.00 per person per year, so if you have a family of 5 thats over $16,000 your government is over spending)
-The only "terrorist attack" in the last 8 years on US soil was planned by...
-80% of americans polled during the election though there was gonna be change. This has since fallen to 60% in less than a month.
-They are trying to pass a law to have everyone chipped in the coming years. (keeps getting rejected by the people)
maybe don't jump on the anti canadian bandwagon
Anonymous Says:
theres only 2 possible explanations. #1 they r just plain full of shit. #2 they are so dumb they r willing to admit that they had no knowledge of the biggest event to hit canada since hockey and beer. either option doesnt look good and theese idiots dont deserve an event like the ufc. then again its a really shitty card maybe its excatly what they deserve and i hope they dont sell out of vaseline at the local drug stores. canada sucks anyway who cares.
Mick Says:
Looks like this will be the last UFC event in my hometown of Montreal. If it happens, of course. Typical. Stupid Quebec politicians and organizations playing their political games and sticking it to organizations like the UFC. Pathetic.
Honestly, I'd rather have the UFC NOT come to Montreal at this point and give this overzealous commission a big middle finger.
Kadumel Says:
☼☼☼Woops☼☼☼ Keep forgetting to re - add my name back into my posts...
lilpo0ts Says:
sockem boppers and moon shoes!
Anonymous Says:
Canada's the best you guys can go fuck yourselves, I hope ur immune systems working well, wouldn't wanna get sick and go broke!!! And ummm the U.S. is pretty much the laughing stock of the whole world, fat hicks spending money they don't have driving their market into shit. Congrats u lazy fucks!
Anonymous Says:
james thompsons ears are still being investigated by the boy scouts on horses, oops i meant mounties, for hidden weapons of mass destruction.
Pissed right off Says:
So are they going to refund the entire trip I just booked?
Fuck a strikebox!
Anonymous Says:
u canucks have an army that couldnt take over a gay bar with war machine present. so bash us all u want u guys r a joke and r lucky to have us as ur neighbor so u dont get taken and raped by a gang of midgets. wow u have health care but an army a gang of homeless bums would stomp.
Old, Bald and Irish Says:
COMMENT OF THE WEEK!
"It was probably all just a matter of miscommunication, because I don't think there's anyone in the world, even Canada, that doesn't know James Thompson will eventually hit the ground."
Awesome job, Goog!
TUF Guy Says:
Way to go Canada. Do everything in your power to spare us from that horrible card.
Cronk Says:
Here is the problem:
"which governs alcohol, racing, gambling and combat sports "
Why are combat sports governed by the same agency as ALCOHOL AND GAMBLING? Shouldn't there be some time of actual athletic commission? It sounds like "combat sports" is perceived as a vice by these guys, not a legitimate sport.
Anonymous Says:
df
Anonymous Says:
Just another day in da Quebec gov bullshit tactics,these mothasuckas always fucking shit up for da rest of canada damm frenchies its always on there terms.wtf dis is da same province dat try to seperate from Canada,what else would you expect from les Quebequoi lol
BDG Says:
Um, anyone want to buy 6 tickets to UFC 97?
MrMooo Says:
Before you all go off ripping on Canada as a whole, keep in mind that the part causing problems is French and the rest of Canada doesn't even want them. These are the same people that give cigarettes to babies.
Kever Says:
Why are the americans on this page saying Canada sucks? Just because they came out with this annoucement the whole country sucks???? Thats why everyone hates americans.
Kever Says:
Just because the commission says they don't like the violence doesn't mean us Canadians dont. Remember it was us Canadians who still has the record sell out last time it was in Montreal. Personally I wish UFC was more violent ie: Soccer kicks, Stomps, Knees to a ground opponent!
Thoughts Says:
I just have to say that I have lost faith in OBI. Your repeated screams of "War Machine" have deafened my ears to you.
Its kinda nice its this quiet world without WM.
Thoughts Says:
...nice in* this...
Armbreaker Says:
If MrMooo is correct, then fuck the French Canadians. Fuck the French too for good measure.
UFCinCalgary Says:
Like I have been saying....COME TO ALBERTA...COME TO CALGARY!!! FUCK ONTAIRO..& FUCK QUEBEC!
If you want to go to stip clubs and bars, then these places are great...If you wanna see someone get elbowed in the face and take three more whlie they are semi-knocked out...COME TO ALBERTA!!!
You only have yourself to blame Dana...you fucking tard!
The 2nd Last Emperor Says:
Well..as if having a fucking crappy card for UFC 96 wasn't enough, 97 looks like it's gonna get worse than just a bad poster.
Fucking gong show, I tell ya...
Brad Says:
Well there is obviously more to this story than meet the eye. No way in hell they didn't know about the UFC in Montreal last year. It happened at the biggest stadium in the province and would have been advertised everywhere. Not to mention GSP was on the card and he is celebrated here in English speaking Canada and I can only imagine my neighbors a few hours to the east love him even more. I call shenanigans. Perhaps they are trying to extort some extra cash out. Oh, not to mention, anyone who has watched a TKO event knows they do follow these rules. Dig a little deeper Ben & Ben.
Brad Says:
On a side note, what the hell is wrong with all you Quebec bashing assholes? The ones from Canada that is. Quebec is part of Canada and is a nice province. Learn to love your country dicks. You think there's not 1000's of ways to insult you guys from out west?