It continues to surprise me how MMA fans in Ontario continue to get the political snub when it comes to the sanctioning and regulation of their favourite sport. The Ontario Athletic Commission continues to impose its dictatorship over a democratic society, all the while hiding behind a veil of laziness and ignorance.
The OAC’s interpretation of Section 83 of the criminal code is ludicrous and borderline ridiculous. How is it that the vast majority of provinces in this country see it differently, whereby they see the need to regulate MMA, sanction it according to the agreed upon North American MMA Rules and understand that has a government body, they must work FOR THE PEOPLE, while making the sport as safe as possible for the fighters and fans.
I am thoroughly disgusted and quite frankly embarrassed to be living in a province whose bureaucrats, for the past 25 years, have been allowed to destroy the combat sports scene to the point where it is nearly non-existent. They did what they could to destroy boxing and kickboxing and now they are doing the same for Mixed Martial Arts. Prior to this regime, Ontario was a province that saw Muhammed Ali take on George Chuvalo at Maple Leaf Gardens. Since this regime took office, it has single handily destroyed the combat sports scene.
Under this regime, we have lost so much. When Lennox Lewis was champion of the world, he could have fought at the ACC or at the Rogers Centre, but instead, chose to fight elsewhere. When Carlos Newton was the UFC Welterweight Champion, he could have defended his title in his home province, but was not allowed to due to the OAC refusing to sanction and regulate MMA. The Vanderpool brothers had to travel abroad to make their names in boxing as the OAC could not be bothered holding regular MMA events. We have had legendary kickboxers in this province who were all forced to ply their trade outside of Ontario, and today, we have current and budding MMA stars who have to pack their bags and head out to Quebec, Vegas and all points in between to build their careers.
The ignorance and interpretation of Section 83 by the current regime at the OAC must come to an end. We live in a democratic society, not a communist or fascist system where we are forced to bow our heads because what they say, goes. We the people, must stand up and demand they review their policies and look at sanctioning the sport of MMA immediately. What exactly do they do today? Seeing as there are barely any professional boxing events in this province, next to no pro kickboxing events and definetly no pro MMA events…what exactly do they do? Something tells me that they sit behind their government salary and ride the waive until retirement. Time for some changes.
The OAC talks about wanting to see a safety record in MMA, well, I have signed paperwork from doctors all across North America explaining why MMA is much safer than other main stream sports. I have a copy of the most recent study conducted by the John Hopkins University of Medicine breaking down the injury trends in SANCTIONED MMA competition and showing EVERYTHING the OAC claims they are looking for. BUT THEY DO NOT WANT IT. They talk, but they do not walk. I, along with many other media, promoters, doctors, lawyers, lobbyists, fighters and fans have ALL of the info the OAC claims they want…but they refuse to accept it when offered.
I have documents from other commissioners in North America stating WHY they have gone ahead and sanctioned MMA in their state/province. There is also an incredible website the UFC has put together at www.mmafacts.com . This site is chalk full of information the OAC has complete access to, but completely refuses to read. Everything the OAC needs to sanction and regulate MMA, is on this site, but they do nothing about it.
This same regime turned down the UFC’s offer to attend last weekend’s show in Montreal. Yes, the same show that saw 21,389 fans sell out the Bell Centre in Montreal. The same show that brought in a $5 million dollar gate for the UFC. The same gate that was taxed by the Quebec Athletic Commission to a maximum of $200,000, which they received for their services in sanctioning the event.
Again, that was $200,000 in revenue the QAC garnered for hosting the UFC event. That figure officially pays of the salaries of their Athletic Commissioner, their Secretary of Affairs, as well as all of their refs, judges and inspectors FOR ONE FULL YEAR.
HELLOOOOO!!!!!!
What does all of this mean? Well, for the rest of the year, every boxing, kickboxing and MMA event held in Quebec will be considered GRAVY to the commission and government bank account. From a government and business perspective, that’s how you run an agency for the people and a division of the Ministry.
Need I also mention how much the Montreal economy made during the UFC event? That many hotels were sold out months in advance, that their were packed restaurants, bars and shops, as well as the transportation revenue streams all received a huge boom due to all the of the tourists that headed to La Belle Province!!
Ironicially enough, based on ticket sales and hotel info, it appears over 60% of the tourists were from Ontario. Good for Quebec, embarassing for Ontario.
Most recently, there is no doubt in my mind that the Ontario Athletic Commission influenced local Six Nations police in charging the promoters of IQMMA, as well as the Grand River Athletics Corp, for holding MMA events on the sovreign land outside of Hagersville, Ontario. Instead of looking at this situation and realizing they need to sanction and regulate MMA in Ontario, they are too busy charging people who are doing a pretty good job of putting on a safe event for the fighters and fans. Due to the OAC’s weak interpretation of Section 83, as well as hiding behind Ontario’s Sports Control Act, they would rather spend their time and resources making money for Ontario’s Judicial System, as opposed to generating revenue for their own Ministry.
Anyone else see the sad irony in what they are doing? As opposed to making money for the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, they take money from their allocated budget and basically give it to another ministry. As opposed to generating enough monies to pay off their salaries, services, etc, they take what little they have and justify spending it on upholding and enforcing archaic definitions of the law. If they were in the regular business world, they would have been terminated and released decades ago.
For the better part of 10 years, I have had conversations with the Ministry of Consumer and Business Affair’s OAC office, as well as the office of the Ministry of Health, in hopes to sanction and regulate both professional and amateur MMA. To say I am saddened and embarrassed to be living in a democratic society where the government imposes their hard fisted will is a travesty to the original morals and values this country was built on. The fact that their are people in office who take advantage of their duties and positions makes my stomach turn. I am a firm believer in Karma. I simply hope it comes back to them sooner than later.
Joe Ferraro, I’m interested in showing you a report I’ve made concerning this very issue. I too feel quite strongly about this ban of MMA in Ontario, and I would like things to start changing. If you could pass along your contact info, I can show you the outline of the arguments I have so far.
- Jeffrey Wong