Sep 11 Prohibition on MMA for 6 Months in Moncton

According to the TIMES TRANSCRIPT, the Moncton Boxing and Wrestling Commission, led by chairman Jerry Doiron-Gould, has decided to take 6 months in order to do "a complete review of the (MMA) events that have been held (in Moncton)". During this time, no MMA events will be sanctioned. With no reason provided as to what prompted this review, and no details as to what will be involved in the review process, the decision has certainly put a black cloud over the future of MMA in that province. There had been a mixed event planned with both boxing and MMA at the Moncton University, but the University barred any MMA events to take place. Was there a formal letter sent to the Commission by the University, or perhaps others in Government as a result?

In Quebec, MMA had faced as similar crises in 2008 that almost caused the 2nd UFC event to be held at the Bell Center to be moved. While the Régie made concessions to allow the UFC to take place, there was concern that the smaller MMA organizations would not be able to hold events unless major changes were made to the rules, which would have severely hurt the integrity of the sport in Quebec. Cooler heads prevailed, and MMA has been allowed to flourish in this province.

The Franchise fully supports any efforts to legalize and grow the sport in any Province, and will therefore stand by established promoters in their efforts to regain licenses to hold events in New Brunswick. What is key is that these promoters, and in fact all supporters of MMA in New Brunswick, act with professionalism and class in dealing with the Commission. When the UFC was taken over by the Fertitta brothers, they campaigned intelligently with the Nevada Athletic Commission by listening to their concerns and put together rules that made the sport safer, and better for both the fighters and the fans.

I have already seen comments from MMA fans comparing boxing to MMA, and wondering why Boxing is being overlooked. Obviously these people are just frustrated by this apparent reversal from the Commission, since Boxing has been accepted worldwide for many, many decades and should never be compared with MA. Trying to compare MMA with Boxing is a waste of time. Trying to insult the chairman because of his age or lack of knowledge for MMA is detrimental to it being sactioned again. What MMA needs in Moncton are level headed, business oriented people with an extensive knowledge in Mixed Martial Arts who can work with chairman Jerry Doiron-Gould and address any concerns he, and the Commission now have with the sport. Make sure that the focus is as much on the economic impact to the region as it is about the safety of the fighters.

Instead of looking at this "review" period negatively, perhaps fighters should take this time off to experience fighting in other Provinces, or getting exposed to other schools in Montreal, Toronto or elsewhere. For those fighters that do not have the means to leave, perhaps some MMA gyms can look at bringing fighters or new instructors in to teach seminars. Developing  at the grassroots level a stronger knowledge of the sport will help grow the support of MMA as well, and high turnouts at these seminars could help influence the Commission at the same time. In business, like in sport,  a successful gamplan is as much mental as it is physical, so people, use your heads!

Tags: MMA \ Moncton \ New Brunswick