How appropriate that UFC 97 is titled Redemption.
Because that's the case for the Quebec Boxing Commission, and the provincial board that oversees it, who have allowed the mixed martial arts event to go on as planned. This, after seeing the error of their ways in threatening to keep the UFC from holding its second event here.
I have it under good authority that representatives from Quebec's side came into the pivotal meeting Tuesday night ready to admit they screwed up. (In fact, according to Montreal's Yves Lavigne, veteran referee of the UFC and TKO, it was CKAC 730 radio's Martin Lemay who saved UFC 97 by going above the commission and even the Regie to the Quebec justice minister to rally the cause.)
But the commission also didn't want it to appear like they wasted everyone's time, not to mention raised their fears, for nothing. So they insisted on at least one change, no foot stomps allowed.
This is really just a token change. This same rule was in effect for last April's event in Montreal, even though the UFC claims they weren't aware of that. They are this time.
The no-foot stomp rule is no big deal. In fact, it has been in effect in Quebec for some five years, ever since one of former TKO president Stephane Patry's fighters was sidelined because of injuries as result of numerous foot stomps. Stomping another fighter's foot won't help you win a fight; it won't even hurt the fighter, really, during the fight. Its effects only come into play afterward. So I can't see anyone complaining about this concession by the UFC.
I was accused of being naive with my suggestion the UFC might have needed to consider holding its event in Montreal but abide by Quebec's rules. I wouldn't put it that way. I would call it being open-minded. Accommodating. Most importantly, a smart business decision.
The commission needed to save face, so there was no way they would give in completely. But the UFC needed to keep the event here, so there was no way they would stand firm completely.
Don't kid yourself. It wouldn't only be the Montreal economy that would have been hurt if they didn't hold the event there. The UFC would have taken a hit too.
Moving the event to the MGM Grand would have forced them to have to refund some ticket-buyers, since that venue holds at least 6,000 less. Not to mention they'd have to offer some kind of compensation to fans who bought tickets expecting it to be in Montreal.
And considering Montreal has been one of their best draws to date, the UFC would be loathe to pulling the plug themselves -- and potentially burn some bridges going forward.
But clearly it was Quebec that stood to lose the most. Having this event in Montreal will be worth something in the neighbourhood of $12 million to the local economy.
In the end, the bigger picture did win out and the commission did an about-face. And they were able to "save face" by releasing a statement saying "the safety of the participants would be assured" by the UFC.
Notes: A little off topic, but related, here's a great read on other MMA promotional fiascos through the years.
