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With Ontario allowing MMA to come into the Canadian province…
By Zach Arnold | August 14, 2010
… the big question is what will UFC book for the main event of their first show? (Story on Ontario allowing MMA to come into the province.)
- April 20th – Miserable crowds at Rogers Centre for Toronto Blue Jay games gives UFC unique chance to make their case
- May 21st – UFC establishing an office in Toronto is good news for MMA and UFC books Rogers Centre date for March 2011
Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck was scheduled for December and the most talked about location was Las Vegas. Now with the news that Ontario is open for business, will UFC postpone this fight until the March date at the Sky Dome? Given the recent success UFC had in promoting the (delayed) fight between Rashad Evasn and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, I think they certainly will take a second look now at delaying the fight from happening.
There would be risks in delaying the fight. If you delay the fight until March, it will be St. Pierre’s first fight in a year and Koscheck’s first fight in 10 months. As far as concerns about delaying the progress of the Welterweight division, I actually think that what Jon Fitch did in Oakland is a blessing in disguise because now the promotion can consider booking him against the winner of Kampmann/Shields. This would eliminate inactivity amongst the Welterweight division contenders.
- MMA finally in Ontario — a twelve year struggle ends in victory
- Vancouver Sun — Ontario lifts ban, moves to allow MMA bouts
- Toronto Sun — MMA fans punch-drunk with joy
- Morgan Campbell in The Toronto Sun — Ontario gingerly hops aboard MMA bandwagon
Realistically, UFC’s first shot in Ontario needs to have St. Pierre as the headliner, there’s really no other way around it. Yes, Brock Lesnar is the biggest star in the company. Yes, UFC has plenty of bullets in their promotional gun to fire to draw well. But if you’re running the Sky Dome, you want St. Pierre headlining that card.
Jordan Breen says that despite the great news regarding Ontario back-tracking, watch out for Ken Hayashi:
My only issue with MMA regulation in Ontario: boxing is regulated and Ken Hayashi already ruined it there. MMA will still need help there.
Jordan points out an article by The Fight Network called The Farce of Boxing in Ontario.
UFC’s official statement on the announcement of Ontario allowing MMA events in their province
Topics: Canada, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 3 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
No. GSP/Koscheck 2 should not be delayed.
I don’t even like title fights bringer delayed for TUF!!
Man, regardless of who headlines the first UFC card in Toronto, I want to go.
I grew up just across the boarder in Buffalo, bu spent many a summer & weekends in Southern Ontario & Toronto.
Toronto is such a great city,it’s one of my favorite places. Used to drive up & see concerts there all there time, go to China Town & Little Italy,…but a major UFC fight card would make a trip there all the better,…and Toronto would make the card all the better too.
But I agree, I can’t see them pushing GSP vs Kos back JUST to headline in Toronto.
[…] to fight on this card to make it work. But what fight do you set up? Our friend Zach Arnold at FightOpinion.com laid out one idea: Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck was scheduled for December and the most […]