The UFC plans to turn its attention on opening up mixed martial arts throughout Canada after it sorts out the sanctioning in Massachusetts and New York, UFC president Dana White said yesterday. MMA shows take place in parts of Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, B.C., and some other pockets.
But Ontario resists the sport.
"Believe me, when we get things straightened out in Toronto, we'll be there as soon as we do," White told a question-and-answer session with fans at the Target Center in advance of UFC 87.
White said convincing the authorities that MMA was safe and desirable was an "education process that takes time. You've just got to get in there and get it done and we will."
Once Massachusetts and New York approve the sport, "then we're focusing 100% on Canada. Canada is very important to us," White said to wild cheers from a crowd filled with Canadians who made the trip to see Montreal's Georges St. Pierre defend his welterweight title against Jon Fitch.
"Crazy-ass Canadians. Everywhere we go, it doesn't matter. There's always Canadians," White said admiringly.
"I don't care if I'm in the U.K., Northern Ireland, Vegas. You guys are awesome, man. We care about Canada. We're coming."
The UFC says 12 more U.S. states approved MMA in 2007.
Sources: Canadian Press
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