The great fight north does not lack enthuiastic fans, and they may very well heal our economy
Jatinder Dhoot
Contributor
We’ve known for decades that Canadians love hockey, but it’s only recently become clear that we’re also obsessed with Mixed Martial Arts.
This year was a monumental one for the UFC in Canada, as the organization made their debut in what has been dubbed by UFC president Dana White as the “Mecca of Mixed Martial Arts”—Toronto. For years, fans in Ontario were starving for their chance to watch the UFC live, and they showed that passion at the box office, as 55,000 plus MMA fanatics jammed into the Rogers Centre in April to watch UFC 129. With such a landmark live attendance and an estimated $40-million economic impact on the city, it’s no surprise the organization returns on December 10 at the Air Canada Centre for UFC 140.
The UFC machine is not slowing down, and you can expect more of their shows to work their way across the nation in 2012. Montréal and Vancouver have already hosted the UFC on multiple occasions, but expect MMA hotbeds such as Calgary and Edmonton to be added to the list of dates on the league’s calendar. Additionally, smaller UFC events for live broadcast television are anticipated to make their way to major Ontario cities such as Ottawa, London, and Hamilton. The positive impact on the economy comes from tourism from cities within Canada, as well as travellers from the United States.
Canadians have been noted by UFC execs and fighters to be avid travellers to watch UFC events worldwide. I myself have needed to keep my passport up-to-date as I have journeyed to Atlantic City, Detroit, Columbus, and San Jose to watch various MMA shows. Events in Toronto and neighbouring Ontario cities would not only draw tourists in, but also keep residents spending more at home, support local business, and have a strong ripple effect in the domestic economy
Despite what some believers say, it will not lead to the degradation of society. MMA shows have the same fans you see at other sporting events. Some are rowdy, some are tame, some lay in between the extremes. It was not UFC fans rioting in Vancouver in June after the city hosted a UFC event during the same time the Canucks were making their Stanley Cup final run. Ironically, before the event, the Vancouver chief of police expressed concerns that the UFC fans would get out of control.
The headlining bout on December 10 features light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones against Lyoto Machida. Also on the card, London native Mark Hominick takes on Korean featherweight Chan Sung Jung for a chance to once again contend for the UFC title. The Brazilian Nogueira brothers,
Antonio Rodrigo and Antonio Rogerio, respectively compete against Frank Mir and Tito Ortiz in heavyweight and light-heavyweight tilts. In total seven out of the 12 fights on the card will involve Canadian fighters., Canada is now surorusbgky dominating the fight cards. The future of UFC is in our true north strong and free, and I eagerly await what comes next.
