McGuinty gets a thumping for opposing UFC in Ontario

Is Ontario ready to rumble?

McGuinty gets a thumping for opposing UFC

Wayne Thomson thinks Premier Dalton McGuinty has it all wrong.

The Niagara Falls Tourism chairman says bringing the Ultimate Fighting Championship to Ontario should be a priority for Queen’s Park.

On Wednesday, McGuinty told reporters his government has better things to do right now than amend Ontario’s Athletics Control Act to permit mixed martial arts matches. His focus, he said, is on developing jobs and strengthening the economy.

“If you want to create instant jobs, we’d better get in the mixed martial arts business because it’s hugely popular,” said Thomson.

Ontario Conservative

Leader Tim Hudak agrees. This week, he said the premier can’t afford to pass up an opportunity to bring the sport to Ontario.

“Let’s just get on with it -I mean, 40 states allow for mixed martial arts (as do) five other provinces,” said Hudak. “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 MMA events, despite repeated urging from UFC officials to open up the potentially lucrative market.

Before Christmas, McGuinty said he would consider their pleas. It now seems clear, however, he has put the issue on the back burner again.

UFC officials say Ontarians are their biggest fans. They predict 40,000 people would attend an event in Toronto. Currently, fans flock to Quebec or other jurisdictions to enjoy live UFC action.

he Criminal Code of Canada prohibits prizefighting. However, individual provinces can choose to exempt sports such as boxing and MMA.

Thomson said Niagara Falls would experience spinoff benefits, even if a UFC event was held in Toronto or Hamilton.

“It’s disappointing we don’t have a facility within Niagara Falls or Niagara region that can accommodate a huge event like this. But the spinoff for us would be amazing should an event come, for example, to Toronto,” said the Niagara Falls city councillor.

“There’s an opportunity for us to benefit because we’re only about 80 kilometres away. Fans could stop in Niagara Falls, visit the casinos, enjoy an overnight stay in the city.”

Thomson admits to being a “huge” fan of the UFC.

“I try not to miss one when I can. I’m disappointed that I haven’t been able to attend one,” he said.

“It’s really a lack of knowledge of the event and its popularity that would stimulate negative comments.”

Seems a lot of people in Niagara Falls agree.

Boston Pizza on Morrison Street, for example, shows UFC whenever the company puts on a pay-per-view. On those nights, manager Laura Smith said the restaurant is packed. All 15 TVs in the bar and dining room are dialed in to the fights, and when the patio is open it’s common to see all 300 to 400 seats filled with those looking for a UFC fix.

“There’s a UFC pay-per-view this Saturday night and we’ll probably show it on every TV, ” she said. “If the Olympics are on, we might put one channel on that.”

Hudak said if he was premier, he would have already brought MMA events to Ontario.

He said two UFC events held in Montreal in 2008 grossed $5 million in ticket sales alone, not to mention the spinoff revenue for nearby hotels and restaurants.

“According to the UFC, 42% of the spectators at those Montreal events were from Ontario,” said Hudak.

Asked if he was an MMA fan or if the sport is good for a younger audience, Hudak said, “I’m a sports fan. I’ve caught it from time to time. I look at it from a tourism perspective. I think families should have an option to decide whether to go to the event or not.

“Premier Dad, in Dalton McGuinty, is imposing his own ideology on MMA fans and that’s not right.”

But not everyone is a fan of MMA, or of bringing the sport to Ontario.

“I don’t even watch that. As soon as it comes on the TV, I turn the channel,” said Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor.

“It’s a pretty vicious sport and I’m not speaking on behalf of the government, I’m speaking for myself.”

Like McGuinty, Craitor said advocating for the UFC in Ontario is not on his radar.

“I’m fighting for health care and the issues of importance in my riding,” he said. “(MMA is) not something I’m even looking at.”

Craitor said he has only received correspondence from one person in support of bringing MMA events to the province.

“I’m out everywhere … and nobody has ever said a word (about MMA) to me. In fact, one person said if you ever support it, I’ll never vote for you again.”

Asked if a UFC event near Niagara Falls could benefit tourism in the city, Craitor said, “I really have to research it and understand it -the nature of the sport.

“Nobody in the tourism industry has said to me, ‘Bring it to Niagara Falls.'”

One local business that could see a spike in interest if a UFC event was sanctioned in Ontario is Fight Club Canada on Portage Road.

Niagara Falls native and former Olympian and Commonwealth lightweight boxing champion

Billy Irwin is one of the instructors there.

The club teaches boxing, muay thai, judo and other forms of fighting. It also offers fitness classes and training programs for anyone looking to learn self defence.

“I don’t see why (the UFC) shouldn’t be allowed,” said Irwin. “The fans want it. They can’t say it’s dangerous, because you (allow) boxing and there’s more injuries -and serious injuries -in boxing, by far, because in UFC when you get knocked down oftentimes the referee stops the fight.

“In boxing, you’ve got a standing eight count and a chance to recover -which if you do, you just get punched more.”

Irwin said the club sees MMA fighters come through its doors and he trains some of them to improve their boxing skills.

Unfortunately, he said, they have to leave Ontario if they want to advance in their career.

“There’s no outlet for them to do it in Ontario right now. Let them do it here.”

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In their own words: Readers say bring it on!

* “He is right. Bringing the UFC to Ontario would be nothing but beneficial. It is the faster growing sport and we might as well get a piece of the action while it’s hot!” -Brandon Macdonald

* “Live or T … the right to chose. Old concept being trample on in todays Ontario (not mentioning the other thousands of places).” – John O’Neill

* “Nothing compares when trying to raise the cultural, moral and educational level of society. What the heck, the world is ending soon anyway right?” -Charlene Leschinsky

* “for sure … its been tested all around the world and is a great revenue stream for the area … but why would we want something so positive to bring money to our country?(sarcasm)” -Chris Chabot

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