Premier knocks out MMA talk
Posted Feb 17, 2010 06:36:35 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The octagon won’t be coming to Ontario.
Premier Dalton McGuinty had suggested in the past he was open to bringing mixed martial arts fighting to the province, but he now says bringing those types of events to the province are not a priority.
According host of MMA Connected on Rogers Sportsnet, ‘Showdown’ Joe Ferraro, MMA fighting has a strong fan base in Ontario, but has been banned because it’s considered prize fighting and that’s illegal under the federal Criminal Code.
UFC, the biggest of the MMA organizations, claims that one of their events alone in Toronto would generate $4 million in tax revenue.
Ferraro agrees saying MMA is the fastest growing spectator sport and that MPP’s need an education in the sport to realize that it’s not dangerous anymore for fans or fighters because of rule changes and new restrictions.
McGuinty insists creating jobs and strengthening the economy are key priorities, and will improve them through tax reforms and infrastructure investments.
