UFC Planning Events in Boston, New York, Toronto, and France
UFC President Dana White
During yesterday’s pre-UFC 97 press conference in Montreal, Dana White announced plans for the promotion to visit Boston, New York City, and Toronto by 2010. All three cities do not currently regulate mixed martial arts but a push is on the legalize the sport so the UFC could hold events in each city by next year.
Kenny Florian and UFC vice president of regulation and governmental affairs Marc Ratner, among others, were in Massachussets yesterday to encourage the state to pass legislation that would pave the way for the UFC to hold an event in Boston before year end.
“The panel made a great case for what I think is pretty straightforward,” Sen. James Timilty, the chairman of the public safety and homeland security committee, was quoted as saying by the Boston Herald. “The sport is exploding in popularity, but it is existing right now unregulated (in Massachusetts). Boxing has been regulated for decades. It’s about time that we’ve made the adjustment.”
Provided the sport soon becomes regulated, a UFC event is tentatively scheduled for November 21st at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.
A fight remains to have regulations approved in Ontario and New York, but White was confident at the presser that the UFC will soon be welcomed in both Toronto and New York City, announcing plans to hold events in both cities by early next year.
Dana White also indicated during the press conference that the UFC will soon hold its first event in France.
Tags: Dana White
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This is awesome news. If Kenny Florian can defeat BJ Penn, he’d problably be able to have his first title defense in his home town of Boston. That would be cool, and if Sanchez beats Guida, he’ll problably get Sanchez for his first title defense in Boston.(Of course assuming Sanchez wins and Florian beats Penn and MMA is regulated in Mass and they give Sanchez a title shot) I know it’s a long shot for this to happen but it’s very possible.
that’s a great senario marvelknight4 i hope it goes down that way dude.
My wife’s from toronto and it would be sick if they went to toronto cuz like dana said those dudes dig mma and the ufc like hell too. I would go to the toronto one dude.
It would be nice for the UFC to make it into all those cities within the time frame mentioned. Boston sounds promising, but the others I wonder if part of him saying that was “gamesmanship” to try to put more pressure on those locations to move forward with regulating the sport.
a Boston fight would be Huge, the Toronto fight Huge, New York huge, France (?), ofcourse all depending on regulatory actions, but tho Vegas is UFC’s homebase these would be excellent places for the UFC to expand to, I do agree that a fight in The Garden would be um just a little crazy awesome…
You know France could be the wild card and would probably do really well. Savate is big there and with all the good European fighters it could be fun. Not to mention Mr. Kongo is French as well.
Obviously I would love to see UFC here in Toronto, but I can’t see it happening with the current guy in charge of sanctioning (Ken Hayashi, the Ontario Athletic Commissioner). I remember reading an article earlier this year where he emphatically stated mma will never be welcome in Ontario. But then again, with the economy tanking in Ontario maybe the UFC’s cash will be welcome here. I also know the Ministry of Health has concerns with mma, but I’m sure with a little homework they’ll see mma’s safer than many sports currently regulated in Ontario. F’n politics.
But just imagine: 70,000 people packed in the Rogers Center (formerly SkyDome) for a UFC event. That would CRUSH any gate revenue record, EVER.
if the ufc could hold a event at madison square garden that would be insane. if they do boston I see a lot of big names on the card, because thats where dana grew up and I highly doubt he would allow for a lackluster crowd. if they do france, I see kongo headlining maybe even getting a title shot. if he wins saturday, I think that solidfies him as the number 2 hw after whoever the winner is between mir and brock.
I’m really surprised that Toronto, Boston, and New York haven’t accepted MMA by their athletic commission. These cities are huge sports cities with respectable fighters from each of them. Plus, they most definitely have the wildest fans. Toronto, I can say for certain bein a resident and all, would be a colossal venue what with two huge stadiums side by side (Air Canada Centre and the Rogers Centre formerly the Sky Dome. If you filled one you can spill into the other one and let everyone watch the PPV on a bunch of big screens. I’m sure the same can be said for Boston and New York.
I live in Toronto. I don’t want the UFC here … what’s the point? I’d much rather fly to LV and party/gamble all night afterwards.
Also – Toronto is less of a “winner” than Montreal because of tourism. 60% of the people at the Montreal UFC events are from the Greater Toronto Area. The only reason it would end up here is ego.
UFC needs to bring a show to Orlando! They can have it at the TD Waterhouse Center where the Magic play their games.