Ontario Permits Mixed Martial Arts By 2011

Toronto, Ontario, Canada (AHN) – Ontario Consumer Services Minister Sophia Aggelonitis announced on Saturday Ontario will allow mixed martial arts in the province by 2011.

Aggelonitis said instead of banning the sport, the provincial government would rather regulate mixed martial arts to ensure fighters are safe. Her announcement represents a turnaround from the province’s previous stand. Premier Dalton McGuinty had stated before that mixed martial arts was not a priority for Ontarians.

Finances, not safety, played the largest role in Ontario officials changing their minds about the sport. A mixed martial art event could bring in 30,000 fans and generate $6 million worth of economic activity. Ontario is expected to collect 2 percent of ticket sales from any mixed martial arts show.

Ontario will use the same rules for mixed martial arts events used in North America. The Ontario Athletic Commission, which oversees boxing, will regulate the practice of mixed martial arts in the province. Ontario must first revise its Athletic Control Act for mixed martial arts fights to be held in the province.

To date, 46 American states and six Canadian provinces have recognized mixed martial arts as a legitimate sport.

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