CBC-Sports

UFC date in Vancouver sparks debate

July 14, 2009 02:11 PM | Posted by   Jeff Marek  

There's an interesting story (and even more interesting debate in the comments section) on CBCSports.ca about Vancouver being on the Ultimate Fighting Championship schedule for next June, despite a ban on the sport that prohibits the company from running events in B.C.

Speaking at a fan expo in Las Vegas, controversial UFC President Dana White claimed that Canada was “the Mecca for mixed martial arts” and in many ways he’s absolutely correct. This country has produced one of the most loyal fan bases for the company going back to the original days of the sport when it was promoted as a clash of styles in “who would win if” format. From day one, the fan base in Canada has consistently grown.

I think we all understand that eventually the promotion will be able to run events in every province in Canada. Note the success of both UFC events at the Bell Centre and there is only so long athletic commissions can continue to walk away from millions of dollars (I always think back to the great line by boxing promoter Don King who once opined in his unique way “where there is money there is forgiveness”).

Ontario also has a ban on the sport but the tide has turned against the Ontario Athletics Commission and it’s director Ken Hayashi. MMA fans are vigilant and have kept the pressure on to sanction MMA in Ontario. UFC itself has been trying to lobby the province to release the ban knowing a UFC attendance record could be shattered with a George St-Pierre vs. Anderson Silva match at Toronto’s Rogers Centre.

Opponents of the sport are quick to point out how violent, bloody and un-sportsmanlike it is. And all are valid points. This is a tough sport contested by very tough men. Even to have the guts to step into the octagon you have to have a pair the size of Saskatchewan.

Is it bloody? Is it dangerous? Is it violent?

Yes to all of the above.

To which many, including yours truly, says…so what?

I’m not sure how different mixed martial arts is in nature, and intention from boxing, hockey, football or any other contact sport. Closest to boxing it seems to be a sport that exists without metaphor. And that’s part of the appeal. I can’t tell you intellectually why I like MMA, boxing, hockey fights. I can only speak to it in terms of emotion and feeling. I don’t know why I like it, I just do.

The violence is part of the lure and the sense of potential tragedy only hightens the emotions of not only the participants but also the fans. Ask anyone who’s ever been to live boxing or a UFC event and they will tell you the same thing: it doesn’t “feel” like a normal sport.

There is still a steep growth and learning curve this sport needs to crack mainstream status. It’s close. UFC is real close.

Watching Pardon the Interruption yesterday the guys did two stories about UFC 100 both focusing on the new heavyweight phenomenon Brock Lesnar who was the second most searched name on Google last weekend. Everyone I’ve spoken to since Saturday either watched UFC 100, saw the highlights and understood all the controversy surrounding Lesnar's pro wrestling style promo towards challenger Frank Mir and his flipping off of the crowd at Mandalay Bay.

If you haven’t seen the promo Lesnar cut after the win check it out on YouTube, it may be the best “business promo” we’ve ever seen in the UFC.

None of that bothered me at all. That’s the bad boy selling tickets. Just like for every Sidney Crosby there’s a Sean Avery and every Georges St-Pierre there is a Brock Lesnar. The gentleman and the rogue storyline has been played out in sports time and time again. Anyone who understands the first thing about promoting, hype and marketing completely understand what Lesnar was doing.

Take a bow Brock.

The main problem I had with the show was the moment that may have produced the loudest pop of the night: the Dan Henderson KO of British fighter Michael Bisping. The initial right hand that caught Bisping knocked him out right away. No question. Then Bisping’s head bounced off the mat. Ok, that happens. But Henderson’s punch in the face of his downed opponent was pretty unsavory and does nothing more than give fuel to the opponents of the sport who wish to demonstrate how barbaric it is. Making things worse was Henderson after the match saying he knew Bisping was out but wanted to hit him on the ground while unconscious to “shut him up” (the two do not get along at all).

A big step back for a company that is looking at taking large steps forward.

UFC at Radio City Music Hall

I watched the UFC 100 PPV in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on a 70 foot screen which was the most unique place I’ve ever watched one of their shows.

A few notes from the show in New York:

  • UFC continues to be a cool thing to do on a date. Lot’s of couples at the show and whenever you see crowd shots of live events the amount of women at the fights continues to grow.

  • At a meet and greet before the show UFC fighter Matt Hamill said he’s in favour of women fighting in the UFC. The company currently does not have any woman’s divisions.

  • Dan Henderson got the cheer of the night when he ko’d Michael Bisping. Loud “USA, USA” chants.

  • Before the show lots of talk about how how Brock Lesnar was a phony champion who did that phony pro wrestling with WWE. Why does nobody talk about his legit NCAA wrestling credentials that saw him go 106-5 in his four years of college at the University of Minnesota?

  • The crowd was way more behind Frank Mir than Brock Lesnar and jeered loudly when Lesnar got in Mir’s face after the fight. Lots of grumbling leaving the venue about how Fedor Emelianenko would kill Lesnar.

  • Just like fans in British Columbia and Ontario, New York MMA fans are thirsting for the day the sports ban is lifted in their state. Lot’s of “UFC/MSG” chants through the night.

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