By James Brydon,
SPORTSNET.CA
TORONTO — A brand spanking new Xtreme Couture gym opened in Toronto over the weekend, providing over 33,000 square feet of real estate for the local enthusiast looking for a state-of-the-art place to get in shape.
But while this is only of immediate impact to those who reside in the Greater Toronto Area, Randy Couture says it won’t be the last in Canada. And he also believes the benefits of establishing such a facility will be more far more reaching.
Couture was in Toronto for its grand opening and to promote a new line of MMA action figures. While in town, he took the time to stop by the Sportsnet studio. Watch his one-on-one in interview with (Showdown) Joe Ferraro here.
The gym is yet another way to help grow the sport in this country, and hopefully it will open the door to mixed martial arts in the nation’s most populated province.
The man called The Natural said Ontario was a natural location for the seventh gym under the Xtreme Couture banner, which is the first north of the border and has third-party ownership, because of the huge fan base for MMA. But the sport remains unsanctioned in Ontario.
The key is convincing the powers that be in the province, especially athletic commissioner Ken Hayashi, that the sport needs to be here. He is already part of a group, one that also includes former UFC referee (Big) John McCarthy and UFC vice-president Marc Ratner, that is trying to provide some exposure to those who can affect some change, and the gym will provide an arena to do so.
"We’re looking at doing some exhibitions and kind of educating (Hayashi and others) on the sport," Couture told Sportsnet.ca on Saturday morning at the gym’s official opening.
One of the objections from Hayashi is that the sport doesn’t have a track record of safety to be able to legalize it. And the sport still receives criticism, from media and the general public alike, as being "barbaric." But Couture disagrees.
"To say it’s too dangerous is an uneducated point of view," Couture added. "I think our track record speaks for itself. There have been no deaths in our professional sport in 14 years that it’s been here in North America. So you’ll have to show me some pretty serious statistics to prove to me that it’s too dangerous."
For anyone who is skeptical — or unfamiliar with the sport — this gym will provide opportunities to come and see for themselves, in an atmosphere that jives with the Xtreme Couture motto of "checking your ego at the door." But the key for Couture is combining mixed martial arts with other physical activities, such as fitness training, to show the legitimacy of MMA as another type of athletic activity that teaches discipline, physicality and control of your body.
"Some people are intimidated by a mixed martial arts facility. They’re worried they’re going to get punched in the head." Couture said. "We want to make people feel comfortable. And you will when you come in here and see all the fitness equipment and the things you’re used to seeing (in a fitness centre). And then you’re also going to see a cage and a ring and heavy bags and all the stuff for a mixed martial arts training centre."
That appears to be the trend these days. UFC fighter Jason (The Athlete) MacDonald recently opened his own gym in Lethbridge, Alta., called Pure Fitness and Mixed Martial Arts, which similarly doubles as an MMA and fitness training centre. And there are a number of top-notch facilities in the Montreal area.
But Alberta and Quebec are two of the hot spots in Canada for professional MMA, with arguably the top two promotions in the country based there. For fighters based in Ontario, they always have to do their training in locations separate from where they will actually compete.
"A lot of great fighters and wrestlers come out of (Ontario)," Couture said. "But they can’t compete in their home area. They come out and are on the away team all the time. I think that climate is going to change."
It may take some time to win over the powers that be in the province. But in the meantime, it will provide a good avenue to get an education on the sport.
And to get in shape, if one were so inclined.
NOTES: People got their first taste of training at the new gym on Sunday, even before the full construction was complete, as Couture hosted a two-hour MMA seminar. Roughly 60 people paid the $99 to take part in some hands-on demonstrations of a variety of mixed martial arts techniques. …
People also got a taste of Couture’s humble nature outside the Octagon. The seminar was followed by a question-and-answer period as the attendees huddled around as the champion relaxed on the ground. One person said it was a surreal to be sitting and speaking with "someone who is one of the best fighters in the world but so down to earth." After some applause, Couture replied: "I appreciate you saying that, and I hope sincerely it’s something our sport never loses, even when more money gets involved and more corporate sponsorships." …
Co-owner Doug Urch said the grappling mats on which the seminar took place were the most expensive piece of equipment in the facility. Covering 12,000 feet, the array of high-quality mats cost $55,000. By comparison, the octagonal cage cost $24,000. …
Urch said the one room yet to be completed is a full-scale cross-training centre, which will be filled with ropes, tires, and equipment like that used for the clean and jerk. "That will be the most exciting room in the building," Urch said. …
No current professional fighter will likely benefit more from the opening of the new gym than Toronto’s Mark Bocek, who lives minutes away from its downtown location. The three-time UFC competitor, who will serve as one of the trainers at the gym, plans to do all the preparation camps for his own fights there, provided enough fighters he can train with travel there for camps. "If all the guys who say they’re going to come out (and I can prepare with them) do so, then it will be great," Bocek said. "I can do all my training in one place."
