Ontario announced Monday it would begin accepting applications on Jan. 1, 2011 from mixed martial arts promoters who want to stage fights in the province.
In August Premier Dalton McGuinty’s government said it would allow the controversial but popular fights. The province said at the time it will adopt the same rules for the bouts that are being widely used across North America.
“We have heard from fans across the province and it’s clear that MMA is a popular sport Ontarians are following,” said Consumer Services Minister John Gerretsen. “Now we have the tools in place to help keep competitors safe, while providing an economic boost to communities that want to host professional MMA events.”
Mixed martial arts is a full-contact combat sport in which competitors use a mixture of traditional and non-traditional martial arts. The sport exploded in popularity with the Ultimate Fighting Championship promotion company.
The McGuinty government said a major MMA event like UFC could attract up to 30,000 fans and generate up to $6 million in local economic activity.
The province said the Ontario Athletics Commissioner will work to ensure promoters and competitors have the proper licences and that mandatory health and safety standards are in place before any professional MMA event is held in the province.
Ontario joins six other Canadian jurisdictions and 46 American states that currently allow MMA
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