One show.
That’s all UFC president Dana White thinks it’ll take to win over the critics in Vancouver now that city council has agreed to sanction professional mixed martial arts on a two-year test basis.
“This is no promoter BS, but it’s the most exciting live sporting event you will ever see,” White told 24 hours. “There will be a buzz going into this, but it’s when we leave that people see what the event has done for the city and they’ll want us back.”
White heralded the city’s six-to-three vote, which now clears the way for a June 2010 UFC pay-per-view event at GM Place.
The economic impact of the event has been estimated at around $20 million.
“It’s an awesome city and Canada is the Mecca of mixed martial arts right now,” the outspoken executive said. “It’s taken longer than I would have liked, but it’s about time and I couldn’t be happier.”
Under the two-year pilot, promoters like the UFC must ensure the city cannot be held liable for any damages and would require top-rated insurance (which would be in the vicinity of $10 million for a large event).
Canadian UFC superstar and welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre has previously been touted as a potential headliner, but is scheduled to fight March 27 in New Jersey.
That could mean Vancouver will miss out on the two-time Sportsnet Canadian Athlete of the Year, but White insists the city will receive a top card either way.
While the majority of council voted in favour of the trial, several councillors were staunchly against it on legal and moral grounds.
The sport is technically not recognized under the Criminal Code of Canada’s prizefight exemptions until proposed amendments are made.
“It’s not often that we’re asked to regulate something that is technically illegal,” said Coun. Andrea Reimer, who also objected to the violence of MMA.
White’s next objective is a mega-event in Toronto, but federal laws remain a sticking point in Ontario.
But White remains upbeat.
“I think it’s going to be easy. This is a real sport with real athletes,” he said. “We’re going to use the momentum and keep opening up more cities and provinces.”
