If the UFC is unable to hold its Montreal show because of the athletic commission in Quebec, expect some serious ramifications.
The astonishing positioning with which the Quebec Athletic Commision is apparently threatening the UFC is not only shocking but may foreshadow some serious ramifications on a variety of levels.
The QAC's proposed amendments are not new per se, but a sudden return to what the former regime originally drafted into law. A source close to the commission informed me that these rules list a maximum cage size that is smaller than the UFC's Octagon, no elbows and knees permitted, and should a fighter get dropped from any type of strike, the action will be stopped.
The halt in the bout is designed for the referee to step in and check the status of the downed fighter and to determine whether he can continue. The source did tell me there is no intent for an eight count like in boxing, but the reality is that this is not mixed martial arts; it is an abomination of fabricated MMA rules they once may have thought would be the standard.
To date, MMA matches held in Quebec have not followed these rules and instead have followed the North American MMA rules. Now, due to a controversial event held in the province on Feb. 6 that resulted in a near riot, the commission has had an about-face and is trying to put their foot down on what they believe is the right thing to do.
The aforementioned event was not promoted as an MMA event but one that would only include striking and takedowns; no ground work whatsoever. The commission did not approve these rules so they informed the promoter that all bouts would be governed under MMA rules. The promoter, Stephane Patry, reportedly informed all competitors backstage with all but one of the fighters, headliner James Thompson, concurring with a sort of "gentlemen's agreement" not to continue fighting on the ground.
In his fight with local favourite Steve Bosse, a North American League hockey enforcer whose strengths are in standup striking, Thompson took his opponent to the ground and continued with what legally was an MMA fight. Referee Yves Lavigne had no choice but to let the fight continue as these were the rules governing the event. Problem is, the fans were never informed and chaos ensued.
Why the commission is now coming down on MMA as a sport (and the UFC) as opposed to treating this for what it is, an isolated incident, is troubling. The sport of MMA should not be punished because of what happened last weekend. And it absolutely has nothing to do with the upcoming UFC event in Montreal.
To date the UFC has already sold over 13,000 tickets through their Fight Club membership and sources have told me the event is already sold out and no tickets may be made available to the public. Based on the capacity of the Bell Centre, that's over 21,000 seats sold for what is surely a gate of over $4 million.
Considering the amount the commission will tax for the event, they are throwing away tens of thousands of dollars. Add to the fact the economy in Montreal will get a multi-million dollar infusion during fight week, how can anyone in the provincial government not speak up and realize that during this current recession, the QAC is taking away income from the likes of local hotels, restaurants, transportation and hundreds of shopping attractions.
The QAC has reportedly made it clear through various media platforms: if the UFC doesn't like it, the UFC can take its business elsewhere.
With all due respect to those involved, this is complete lunacy. In any other business out there, this type of rhetoric would cost people their jobs. How one decision can cost a local economy millions of dollars and not be overturned is beyond comprehension. In fact it's an embarrassment to democracy, to politics and to the business of combat sports.
If the UFC is forced to relocate its Montreal show to another city, I believe we can expect another complete overhaul at the QAC to bring in figureheads who "get it." As it stands right now, it is completely obvious: they have no idea what they are doing.
