Joe Ferraro

Dana White continues to be positive that Ontario sanctioning will get done, it's just a matter of time.

Dana White and a lobbyist firm the UFC has hired are hinting that Ontario is close to legalizing MMA

It seems with every month that goes by, another state, province or country sanctions and regulates mixed martial arts, but since the inception of this modern day combat sport, the province of Ontario has turned a blind eye. But it appears the sands of the hour glass are running out for its most serious detractors.

I had the chance to catch up with UFC president Dana White and asked what the status of legalization efforts were for the province.

"Like I've said along, it's inevitable, it's going to happen," he stated, with a more serious tone in comparison to other answers he gave me to a wide variety of questions.

He continued, "There's no reason it shouldn't be," a bold statement perhaps reflecting that the sports opposition no longer has any legs to stand on.

When asked if he could provide a ballpark figure as to a timeframe that he believed the sport would be regulated in the province, he preached patience, and that the end result would be in his favour.

"It's just a matter of time. It's going to take time. Just like Boston took time and all these other states, we'll get Ontario done."

But patience is running thin for many of the hungry MMA fans and fighters from Ontario. For the fighters, they are unanimous in their voices and outright frustration of always being "the away team." They have never enjoyed the luxury of fighting on their home soil and must travel out of province to garner experience.

For many, fighting on an native reserve, where many MMA events are taking place, is a risky proposition. Not only could anyone involved in such events face criminal charges, if a fighter were to get seriously injured or as a worst-case scenario, a fighter should die in competition due to poor safety regulations or from being allowed to fight without receiving proper medical clearance, there could be some serious liability ramifications. Also is the fear of being blacklisted by all North American althetic commissions.

For the fans, they just want the right to attend an MMA event within the province's borders. Whether it be a UFC event or a grass-roots one, they believe they have the constitutional right to make their own decisions as to how they want to spend their entertainment dollars.

The aforementioned groups have waited over 17 years for their province to wake up and it appears their wishes may be coming true, sooner rather than later.

Enter Noble Chummar, legal representation for the UFC in Ontario and a prominent attorney with Cassels Brock & Blackwell, the lobbyist firm hired by the UFC to work at educating members of the provincial government on the many reasons why the sport should be sanctioned and regulated.

"We're moving forward; Ontario is getting close," smiled Chummar from his offices in downtown Toronto.

Chummar worked closely with the efforts that helped get MMA regulated in Vancouver and sees the bright side in Ontario.

"The Premier is open minded, and that's a positive sign. But the reality is that the sport is currently not regulated."

While the current state of affairs appear dismal, Chummar believes that the right steps have been taken and the ball is already rolling in parliament.

"If the government and public interests are aligned, then we must regulate the sport so it is safe for the fighters who wish to compete. The same can be said for the fans as MMA can provide an avenue of entertainment for the many who enjoy the sport."

Chummar's focus and representation is for the sport of MMA, not just the UFC, but made it clear that his client is the gold standard in mixed martial arts promotions.

"The UFC has the highest standards. They meet and exceed global standards."

Initial projections pointed to the sport being regulated in late 2011, but according to Chummar, the light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter with every passing day.

"As for a date, we are not counting our chickens. We are working with various levels of government to continue the education process while always understanding that patience is a virtue."

And with a confident smile, Chummar hinted that maybe, just maybe, the sands of the hour glass have finally hit the bottom.

"It will happen, and it will be sooner, than most anticipate."