Much like last year’s UFC event in Calgary, fans in Winnipeg got to see some competitive fights in their first taste of the Octagon, but they deserved a little better.
Jon Jones may be the future face of the UFC, but fighting three times in Toronto may not be ideal for the fighter, the city, and the evolving sport as a whole.
Canadian fighters won four straight preliminary fights at UFC 161 before a bleeding Sam (Hands of Stone) Stout from London, Ont., tapped out in the third round in his bout with James Krause.
The passing of Bill S-209 was a monumental step forward for mixed martial arts in Canada and it will open up new opportunities in smaller markets across the country.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has a spotty track record west of Ontario and Saturday’s debut in Winnipeg only adds to the recent string of underwhelming events.
A third fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos is already set in stone, but depending on the outcome these two heavyweights could be in for a longtime rivalry.