Ont. to kick off mixed martial art applications Jan.1

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Ontario will soon begin accepting applications to hold mixed martial arts events, such as this one organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).


Mixed martial arts (MMA) promoters looking to stage fights in Ontario should start getting their bids in order.

The Ontario government announced on Monday it will begin accepting applications Jan. 1, noting just one major MMA event could attract up to 30,000 fans and generate up to $6 million in economic activity.

The province had a change of heart in August and announced it would allow mixed martial arts starting in 2011.

Prior to that, Premier Dalton McGuinty had always dismissed the idea of allowing the cage matches that characterize MMA, saying it just wasn't a priority for Ontario families.

The economic potential of MMA events apparently isn't lost on the government, which is running a deficit of almost $20 billion.

Ontario's decision to allow MMA came after successful shows in Montreal and Vancouver organized by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a U.S. MMA promotion company. Both events posted record sellouts for the MMA juggernaut.
 
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