UFC 97 in Jeopardy??

Post #1 » by **spykelee** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:36 am

I'm sure you guys have heard of this story... But incase you haven't, UFC 97 is in danger of not taking place in quebec. The sticking points are in the octagon size, on allowing elbows and knees, and on how a knockdown via strikes requires a ref stopage to ensure the fighters can continue... Apperently the QAC (Quebec Athletic Commision) was "unaware" that there was previously a UFC event in montreal... I'm sure they never heard that GSP was facing Matt Serra for the title in an event that set a record for gate and attendance, and was promoted heavily by two out of the 3 major players in Canadian Sports Television.

Anyways, Dana and Co. are heading to Montreal this week to attempt to rectify the situation. It just blows my mind that they "hadn't heard of any other event" being in quebec when TKO was based in Quebec and operated for years under the unified MMA rules, and there was the previous UFC event. I really hope they do rectify this as Dana has stated many times, Canada is always the biggest portion of PPV buys for there events, lots of candians go to the events... its basically that MMA is huge here and I'd be shocked if the commision didn't let this event go off... especially in this economy.

anyways, I've attached the commisions rules, article 195.4 is referencing the octagon size, 195.28 references the elbows and knees. I'm not sure where exactly is the rule about a guy needing the ref to check on him following a legal strike knockdown.
http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.q ... c29ffe9ec6

Anyways, this is a farce. And it would be a travesty if this sold out... event can't go off. BTW, great timing QAC, I love how you make the announcement after the event sells out...

cowboyronnie · Post #2 » by **cowboyronnie** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:05 am

The TKO org used to allow knees on the ground and stomps, IIRC. They were _more_ liberal.

Cammo101 · Post #3 » by **Cammo101** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:51 am

I'm sure Dana and the boys will get it all figured out. Screw Canada anyways and move it back here to the USA.

Post #4 » by **CPT** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:02 am

Dana is supposed to be meeting them soon, if he hasn't done it already. I expect him to tell them to go **** themselves, or the UFC is never **** coming back to Quebec.

If that fails, it will get moved to Vegas.

cowboyronnie · Post #5 » by **cowboyronnie** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:47 pm

For once I'm actually excited that Dana is such a type-A prick. Reading about the politics behind this, it would be awesome if Dana just said **** it, we're out.

cowboyronnie · Post #6 » by **cowboyronnie** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:49 pm

Cammo101 wrote:I'm sure Dana and the boys will get it all figured out. Screw Canada anyways and move it back here to the USA.

per capita, canadians buy the largest number of PPVs...and with a large margin. it's a major market.

Post #7 » by **CPT** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:43 pm

Apparently it's been saved. Normal UFC rules will be in place, except foot stomps have been banned.

cowboyronnie · Post #8 » by **cowboyronnie** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:47 pm

CPT wrote:Apparently it's been saved. Normal UFC rules will be in place, except foot stomps have been banned.

Wow. The UFC made a huge concession. Don't fight with the French.

Post #9 » by **Chach** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:13 pm

When I first read that, I thought CPT meant like stomps on the ground like those halfway axe kicks you see guys throw when his opponents on his back but throwing upkicks. But like "I'm in the clinch and he's not going down so I'll just stomp on his foot" foot stomps is what got banned out of everything? Remind me to never go to Canada, that's just something I feel comfortable with. mahalo
~Chach~

Cammo101 · Post #10 » by **Cammo101** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:42 pm

cowboyronnie wrote:
CPT wrote:Apparently it's been saved. Normal UFC rules will be in place, except foot stomps have been banned.

Wow. The UFC made a huge concession. Don't fight with the French.

Dana brought Lesnar and Silva with him and the white flags went up immediately.

Post #11 » by **spykelee** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:09 pm

This whole incident was embarassing enough for the QAC, and dissapointing for Canada as a whole. I can't even imagine had this event actually got cancelled...

After almost a decade of sanctioned fights in Quebec, the commision has suddenly heard about some mixed martial arts (wtf?) organization or something. Maybe there was some heavily nationwide promoted sold out event with a local hero headlining, and perhaps it was the largest gate revnue for the ufc... I dunno. apperently it's coming to town again, to a sold out crowd, and we don't like there rules, we won't let them in...

I mean are you kidding me? This was embarassing through and through, and it actually could have been worse... I'm just left shakin my head