Ontario sanctions MMA, will host events next year

The Canadian province of Ontario, a colossal marketplace for mixed martial arts, will start hosting professional events beginning next year.

The Ontario government released a statement on Saturday announcing the move to allow MMA.

Ontario becomes the sixth Canadian jurisdiction to sanction the sport, joining 46 U.S. states.

MMA has been outlawed in Ontario based on section 83 of the Canadian Criminal Code, which interprets a "prize fight" as a boxing or kickboxing competition.

According to the province's statement, a major MMA event in Ontario could attract up to 30,000 fans and generate up to $6 million in local economic activity. An estimated 10-15 events will be hosted annually.

Events will abide by the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, initiated by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission in 2000.

MMA juggernaut the Ultimate Fighting Championship is already looking to capitalize from the announcement with a show planned for March 2011 in Toronto. Two possible venues include the 60,000-seat Rogers Centre and 20,000-seat Air Canada Centre.

UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta has stated Canada accounts for about 17 per cent of the brand's overall business.

The UFC has already held successful events in Montreal and Vancouver. Ontario residents made up 42 per cent of ticket sales for a 2008 UFC card in Montreal.

UFC president Dana White and VP of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner have rejoiced about the announcement after advocating for the sport's regulation in Ontario for years.

The province is taking a major step forward after Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty stated in February that legalization of MMA was not a priority. It would appear as though McGuinty has since changed his position.

"Our government has been monitoring MMA for some time," said Sophia Aggelonitis, Ontario's Minister of Consumer Services. "We know that the sport has evolved and that Ontarians want to see it here."

In May, the UFC named former Canadian Football League Commissioner and former Adidas Canadian president Tom Wright as the head of the organization's Canadian division.

Wright had repeatedly expressed the importance of bringing MMA to Ontario, though the role he played in achieving MMA regulation in the province is presently unknown.

Recently, the British Columbia Medical Association sought a nationwide ban on the sport. Despite continued opposition from various groups, the positive economic impact of the sport is undeniable, particularly in Ontario, which is running a deficit of almost $20 million.

"My goal is to make sure we have the tools to keep the competitors safe, and provide an economic boost to communities that want to host professional MMA events," said Aggelonitis.

With one hurdle is out of the way, the next major target is New York. The sport remains illegal in the Empire State, which is home to over 8 million residents.