UFC 97 Montreal in jeopardy due to potential rule changes by the Quebec Athletic Commission

by Jesse Holland on Feb 12, 2009 8:07 PM EST

UFC 97 'Redemption,' scheduled to take place from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on April 18 is in jeopardy of being canceled by potential rule changes from the Quebec Athletic Commission (QAC) according to Ontario's Sportsnet.ca.

And as silly as it sounds, we may have James "Colossus" Thompson to blame.

On February 6 at Mel’s Studio in Montreal, Quebec, Titans Fighting held an MMA event that was originally supposed to be called "Strikebox." The upstart promotion wanted to stage an event that featured all striking, prohibiting any grappling or striking on the ground.

Unfortunately Strikebox struck out, as the California-based "Strikeforce" wasn't too keen on the name similarity and forced them to become Titans Fighting.

Secondly, the QAC would not approve of the format because it did not follow the currently sanctioned rules. The deal was have a full-fledged MMA show, or have no show at all.

Titans Fighting continued with their show, but maintain the fighters had a 'Gentleman's agreement" to keep the action standing.

Apparently everyone was told about this agreement except Thompson. Or if he was told, his corpulent ears might have prevented him from hearing it.

In the main event against Steve Bosse, Thompson immediately went for the takedown and rattled off some textbook ground and pound. The crowd reacted violently in disapproval, showering the cage with bottles and debris. The show was halted and both fighters and Referee Yves Lavigne ran for their lives.

In the aftermath of that disastrous event, the QAC is re-evaluating rules that govern the sport of mixed martial arts within the province and are considering changes that include a smaller cage, banning elbow and knee strikes and requiring a referee to stop a bout when a fighter gets knocked down to make sure they are okay to continue.

The QAC further stated that the UFC will be forced to comply with any proposed changes should they desire to stage an event there, which comes as a surprise considering the success of UFC 83 that was held on April 19 of 2008.

Considering the province has been following North America's Unified Rules of MMA for over seven years, this sudden development is a bit puzzling.

I'm sure the over 12,000 fans who already purchased their tickets aren't going to take this lying down, nor will Marc Ratner, the UFC's vice president of government and regulatory affairs.

UFC 97 is supposed to feature middleweight champion Anderson Silva, putting his 185-pound title on the line against number one division contender, Thales Leites. In the co-main event, Mauricio Rua — fresh off his less-than-thrilling victory over Mark "The Hammer" Coleman at UFC 93 — would challenge former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell.

If the QAC decides that new rules are going to be in affect, let's hope for the sake of Canadian fans it can wait until April 19. Otherwise, the UFC may have to consider other options, including relocating the show elsewhere like Las Vegas.

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i cant see it, … not with all the other mma events being held in Canada, even with the rule change.

by Toad on Feb 12, 2009 8:12 PM EST reply actions

Umm how about just move it to home in good ole Las Vegas ?

by Rashad-Marquardt-GSP-Sherk on Feb 12, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions

Vegas isnt selling 22,000+ tickets per show.

by stevo on Feb 12, 2009 8:25 PM EST up reply actions

doesn’t matter the gate is so small compare to ppv buys that no matter where they hold it its a gaurenteed success.
on a side note f**k the stupid frenchies and their rules and f**k james thompson for being an idiot. have the even elsewhere if quebec doesnt like it

by the heat on Feb 12, 2009 9:19 PM EST up reply actions

I already got my tickets, I’m booking my room tomorrow. This will blow over.

by jay on Feb 12, 2009 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

wheres the video of this fight!
canada will happen

by Mikeybear2009 on Feb 12, 2009 9:50 PM EST up reply actions

I saw the clip on the Fight Network. It is funny.

by jay on Feb 12, 2009 9:59 PM EST up reply actions

Bring it to So. Florida damn it!!!!

by El Mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on Feb 12, 2009 10:05 PM EST up reply actions

Fuck James Thompson? for what?? taking an MMA fight to the ground??? you are ridiculous. you shoudl say fuck titan fighting for being fucking stupid and fuck the fans that started throwing shit!!!!!

by ---Caesar--- on Feb 12, 2009 10:17 PM EST up reply actions

F**k James Thompson? for what?? taking an MMA fight to the ground??? you are ridiculous. you should say f**k Titan fighting for being f**king stupid and f**k the fans that started throwing sh*t!!!!!!

by ---Caesar--- on Feb 12, 2009 10:18 PM EST up reply actions

Bring it to Regina Saskatchewan!!

by Beaver on Feb 12, 2009 11:43 PM EST up reply actions

Well, if this is the position those in Quebec have taken, there will be no “maybe” about it. The show will not go on. They will cut off their nose to spite their face.

Sucks….

by DJ on Feb 13, 2009 6:34 AM EST up reply actions

the ppl in Quebec should really enjoy the Friday the 13th(remake) premiere today!! Jason is the man, he’s so brutal..

by RoB on Feb 13, 2009 7:08 AM EST up reply actions

If they want to experiance the class and flavor of Quebec they should take the event to Atlantic City. I can’t think of a better epicenter of culture.

by DB on Feb 13, 2009 7:54 AM EST up reply actions

I would give my left nut, and 3 inches off my penis for the UFC to bring this card to atlantic city….45 minutes away from me!

by john on Feb 13, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

Beaver I am definitely down for the vag, sask… the onyl problem is we’d have to have it at mosaic.. only place big enuf here to do so… might be a little cold.. :p

by Champagne on Feb 13, 2009 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

I know John, I’m about an hour away. I thought about going to 78 when BJ vs Sherk was rumered to headline the card, but CSAC had to screw everything up. It’s about time they bring a halfway decent card to NJ since it ain’t sanctioned in PA.

by DB on Feb 13, 2009 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

Anyone have a link?

by c-war on Feb 12, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L3QdIRdj0Q

by ---Caesar--- on Feb 13, 2009 12:54 AM EST up reply actions

lol, that is funny.

by Grembone on Feb 13, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions

yeah but this is in QUEBEC, and these proposed rules are for Quebec, NOT all of canada. as far as i’m concerned, screw those frenchies, hold it elsewhere and watch em cry a the lost revenue.

by kitsunex on Feb 12, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

haha they make enough at the bell centre off hockey to not care that much about 1 ufc event…although i will be awful upset if this gets cancelled! OH CANADA!!

by newfie on Feb 12, 2009 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

God i f$%king hate these a$$hole commissions that keep trying to ruin the sport. First it was the Ontario bastards who only wanna play point karate. Now this? Seriously how fn hard can it be to commissioners who aren’t complete morons.

by NameNotRequired on Feb 12, 2009 8:46 PM EST up reply actions

pfft. REally? have you watched the Canadians play? they are terrible, they haven’t sold out the bell center in forever. they only go watch hockey when their team doesn’t suck. when i see the wings play them the stadium is half empty.

by kitsunex on Feb 12, 2009 8:46 PM EST up reply actions

umm dude i watch the habs every night and they sell out every night not sure if you know what your talking bout but i will agree they stink right now

by TAY on Feb 12, 2009 9:22 PM EST up reply actions

the habs have been sold out for seasons…dont matter how much they stink, like the Leafs who pack the house every night.

by newfie on Feb 12, 2009 9:25 PM EST up reply actions

Leaf tickets are on average $150 each – regardless of what their record is. I think Hab tickets are less but they are sold out every game.

by DF on Feb 12, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions

Get out of here!

by Jee on Feb 12, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions

I’m not sure I see the correlation between the incident and the rules that want to implement. It doesn’t make sense.

by DSmith on Feb 12, 2009 11:44 PM EST up reply actions

WOW! This is going to suck bad if those rules do change! I was really looking forward to seeing Chuck destroy Shogun. Hopefully this doesnt happen.

by JV on Feb 12, 2009 8:13 PM EST reply actions

damn…i got floor seats just yesterday.

by Stryker on Feb 12, 2009 8:14 PM EST reply actions

hahah u got owned!!

by TheEder on Feb 12, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

that sucks

by DB on Feb 13, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

Ha ha ha. Is there any footage on this one mania??

I’ve wanted to see that Colossus Thompson get bottled for ages…

It’s still pretty shitty news if this event gets cancelled over some crappy upstart company. Surely the UFC are very reputable and should have no problem getting an event sanctioned.

Dana will get this one sorted, I’m sure of it.

by Ca$z on Feb 12, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply actions

its like a 7 second clip where the fighters are just getting pelted with cans….kinda funny

by ehoglund on Feb 12, 2009 8:35 PM EST up reply actions

thats stupid, “gentlemens agreements” dont mean crap if its not in the rules. He didnt break any rules with the takedown, so Quebec needs to suck up some dignity and call it a poor decision with the event and move on.

And people wonder why the French (or in this case French-Candians) are made fun of all the time.

by Kibs on Feb 12, 2009 8:18 PM EST reply actions

And proud to be! =)

by French Canadian on Feb 12, 2009 9:28 PM EST up reply actions

The issue was the fight was promoted as one thing, tickets were sold based on that and it turned out to be something else. The fans expected to see a certain type of match and got something totally different.

So, the fans showed their displeasure.

by DJ on Feb 13, 2009 6:40 AM EST up reply actions

Bring it to Portland Oregon!

by Bluepit on Feb 12, 2009 8:36 PM EST reply actions

they should make new rules in canada to allow head stomps…so Shogun can go mad

by newfie on Feb 12, 2009 8:37 PM EST up reply actions

wouldn’t matter. the UFC still wouldn’t allow them.

by kitsunex on Feb 12, 2009 8:47 PM EST up reply actions

They didn’t want any grappling? No elbows or knees? No ground n pound. Isn’t that kickboxing? They don’t want grappling? Why?

by hatteras on Feb 12, 2009 8:45 PM EST reply actions

ya know. this is ridiculous. when GSP is fighting throwing vicious knees to the side of serra people were cheering. The only thin QUEBEC wants is more money so they will then allow the rules to remain. this is MMA not modified kickboxing. if this event does end up happening it should be the last in Quebec.

by charr552 on Feb 12, 2009 8:51 PM EST reply actions

Wtf hate much? This isn’t the province of Quebec having a referendum and unanimously deciding to change the UFC rules, this is one governing body of a few misguided guys choosing this based on circumstantial information.

Also, people booed taht guy at that smaller show as rules had been decided upon and he blatantly ignored them.

by ShaiZ on Feb 12, 2009 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

wow so it is true. thought it was just a rumor

by shitleTOT.com on Feb 12, 2009 8:52 PM EST reply actions

So they let someone rule them from across the ocean, but you can’t beat someone’s ass when they’re on the ground…..I bet they ran out of Molsen Beer that night.

My one trip to Vancouver BC, my car got broken into and they stole a Zippo lighter, and left a camcorder that was in the backseat….Should I be surprised??

by B.J Pennzoil on Feb 12, 2009 8:54 PM EST reply actions

if you are “smart” enough to leave valuables in your car, please come back to vancouver, we need “smart” individuals such as yourself to grace our streets and keep the crime from our own car’s , where we leave zero valuable’s , and still get our windows broken, TRAVEL ADVISORY TO ALL PLANNING TO COME TO VANCOUVER- do not leave valuable’s in your car’s.

by daz on Feb 13, 2009 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

this is ridiculous. they just are looking for more money from the UFC so they will subside and let the tules stand. 10 months ago when GSp was lying overtop serra throwing vicious knees 22,000 people were cheering but when one of their own isn’t on the main event they want to make it illegal. i truly don’t understand what goes in inside those french canaidans heads.

by charr552 on Feb 12, 2009 8:54 PM EST reply actions

bring it to red deer alberta UFC!!!

by HamiltonKC on Feb 12, 2009 8:57 PM EST reply actions

lol

by ShaiZ on Feb 13, 2009 12:27 AM EST up reply actions

I’m from Quebec.
“il est interdit de frapper un adversaire avec la rotule et la pointe du coude (point 12 du règlement 195.28.)”. It means no knee and no elbow.
Why the fuck did they allowed this for ten years??? This is ridiculous…
http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=//S_3_1/S3_1R12.htm
The last revision is from 2004…
Simply unbelievable!

by Mathieu on Feb 12, 2009 9:02 PM EST reply actions

Hilarious!! Quebec has gone reactionary! They’d feel so at home Down Under…. Australia’s national moto is: “If something happens that falls outside the norm, lets legislate against it”! Unfortunately cooler heads rarely prevail down here. I hope Canada proves to be different :-)

by Rilly on Feb 12, 2009 9:04 PM EST reply actions

Don’t F with me QAC. I just bought 6 tickets to this event. If you negatively affect the resale of my tickets I will bitch slap each and every one of you

by Josh H. on Feb 12, 2009 9:07 PM EST reply actions

Melvin manhoef might be set to fight robbie lawler in the next strikeforce show but if the price is right you know how our lovely goverment loves to tax the shit out of everyones paycheck…or purse….as for ufc 97 do what you have to do dana…..

by No mercy on Feb 12, 2009 9:08 PM EST reply actions

Illinois will welcome another event I’m sure.

by Goomba on Feb 12, 2009 9:10 PM EST reply actions

Matter of fact, so will almost anywhere in these times. If Canada doesn’t want the over 5 million at the gate and thousands in concessions and merchandise sales, move it somewhere else.

by Goomba on Feb 12, 2009 9:12 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah Bring it to Regina Saskatchewan

by Beaver on Feb 12, 2009 11:45 PM EST up reply actions

Just a clarification:

Actually in the case of elbows and knees, these are not rule changes. MMA rules in Quebec do not allow elbow and knee strikes accordingly to the regulations. These rules have just been ignored/forgotten and the Unified rules have been tacitly used instead.

It is actually an enforcement of the rules.

Which is still bulls**t.

by tet on Feb 12, 2009 9:13 PM EST reply actions

whoever in the QAC dose not like or understand grappling should just stop watching MMA and take there rules and go to HELL!!!!!!

by Shadow side on Feb 12, 2009 9:13 PM EST reply actions

You got a couple of facts wrong

Right now the rules state that no elbows are allowed and everything you mentioned.

They have been doing shows for over 10 years not nowing the rule book it seems

the commission looks like real baffoons right now

they stated they did not know of the rules that were in effect for UFC 83

a complete joke I hope some heads roll being from montreal

by Fred on Feb 12, 2009 9:59 PM EST reply actions

Not even amaeture fights in cali are that bad

Compare

No elbows to down opp in face is only thing cus still not pros, besides that its all the same knees elbows gnp (fists)

by phenomenal angel on Feb 12, 2009 10:04 PM EST reply actions

I thought you could elbow a downed opponent….just can’t use the “dropping” elbow where you pull your elbow down while your forearm is verticle

by Chadx23 on Feb 12, 2009 10:18 PM EST up reply actions

i’m cool with the no elbows for the amateur fights. that way they can build up experience without having to worry about acquiring lots of scar tissue which will cause issues later down the line.

by kitsunex on Feb 12, 2009 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

To all MMA fans and those of you who don’t understand the Quebequois. They only make decisions to be different. They are not reasonable, nor practical in any way. They don’t care what any of you think. If the rest of CANADA didn’t give them 10 billion dollars a year the province would go bankrupt. They are like your cousin who can’t take care of themselves but they are still family. So you help them out, pat them on the heads and say good job little buddy. UFC move your events to Western CANADA we have all the money anyway. Pat Quebec on the head and say maybe next time.

by Canada Michael on Feb 12, 2009 10:05 PM EST reply actions

Couldn’t say it any better CM – I may copy your post and email to a couple friends – lol

by DF on Feb 12, 2009 11:23 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for clarification and the heads up Canada Mike. I have a couple of those cousins too.

by B.J Pennzoil on Feb 12, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions

you mean “the Quebec leaders”.. not ALL the Quebequois

by Mathieu on Feb 12, 2009 11:56 PM EST up reply actions

How in the f&%$ is this gonna be a political debate ??? Has noting to to with referendums, or feeling inferior..blablabla..this is MMA. Now let’s see this fight in MTL!!!

by neeko on Feb 13, 2009 6:30 AM EST up reply actions

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

by DJ on Feb 13, 2009 6:45 AM EST up reply actions

Thompson is always screwing things up.

by DirtyML on Feb 12, 2009 10:06 PM EST reply actions

so i already have my tickets, so f**k that.

by scottythebody on Feb 12, 2009 10:06 PM EST reply actions

go to vegas and i’ll be there

by bryant on Feb 12, 2009 10:12 PM EST reply actions

Just move the show out west to Alberta. We can hold 20,000 in he Saddledome in Calgary. I am sure they will be able to keep it in Montreal. We went there last year and it was a blast.

by Jo on Feb 12, 2009 10:22 PM EST reply actions

Just get GSP to fight Alves on the card. Then the Frenchies will let it happen . Theres still 2 months for each guy to train.

by guy on Feb 12, 2009 10:35 PM EST reply actions

i gotta agree man if alves is smart he has been training since he beat koscheck it seems everyone knew who his next fight was anyway, and gsp hell that guy just had an amazing performance against bj so he was already training he could easily pick up where he left off no way he has any injuries

by randy murders on Feb 12, 2009 11:26 PM EST up reply actions

Chad, u mean like slaming your forearm straight down?

I think its legal u can grind forearm on face I know that.

Recent one I went to in club 740 in LA csac came and changed am rules to just pancrease which wasn’t too exciting cus many fighters dropped out last minute, they played ufc 94 right after startiing in bonnar fight which made up

Damn I wanna see this card now tho I hope things work out

by phenomenal angel on Feb 12, 2009 10:51 PM EST reply actions

I was at the Titans Fighting event. The show went very smooth until the main event took place. Fast-paced, entertaining, and brutal KOs. I still prefer MMA fights though.

At the time of the event, I was not aware that the “stand-up only” combat rules were not official.

I thought it was weird that Thompson was going for a take down in a striking fight. The crowd started throwing beer cans in the octogon when people noticed that Thompson started ground and pounding Bosse. I didn’t understand how come the referee wasn’t stopping the fight to bring both fighters to stand either.

The president of Titans Fighting, took a huge gamble on these made-up rules and lost. It might cost us a UFC event!!!

He was co-founder of TKO, an MMA organisation with events based in Montreal. The show quality and the level of competition was pretty good. Until he resigned from TKO to its demise last year.

He is also a manager of some of the most popular local fighters. In the last few TKO events, his fighters started loosing big time against grapplers and jiu-jitsu guys. That’s when he started StrikeBox. He brought his fighters with him in the organization. I hope they get more success with this new form of combat.

by crazyninja on Feb 12, 2009 11:27 PM EST reply actions

Lol the unified/ufc rules are crappy enough as they are, now these assholes in quebec wanna ban elbows, and knees wtf?

Real mma = stomps, soccer kicks, and so on, not garbage bound with a ton of rules.

by Leonidas on Feb 12, 2009 11:40 PM EST reply actions

F**k those frogs!!! ;P

by nathan on Feb 13, 2009 12:32 AM EST reply actions

It all sounds to me like some shady French-Canadian Douche wants a share of the cash. A little payoff and everything will be fine…

by ProCannonFodder on Feb 13, 2009 12:47 AM EST reply actions

Stomps and soccer kicks, knees to head are banned so nobody gets serious brain damage, don’t get me wrong I loved seeing fights in pride, but what mma pays some of the least paid fighters wouldn’t cover medical bills to fix a serious head injury, imo

by phenomenal angel on Feb 13, 2009 1:16 AM EST reply actions

no you’re right.. and that is why they have the rules they do.

by RoB on Feb 13, 2009 6:53 AM EST up reply actions

Quebec go lay down in your bed and after 20 to 30 minutes go fuck yourself

by wat fool on Feb 13, 2009 1:41 AM EST reply actions

its hell boring…nucking futs

by gaara on Feb 13, 2009 2:06 AM EST reply actions

Im sure if they want to we could hole the UFC here in Edmonton at such short notice. It would sell out faster than any other PPV event the UFC has had to date.

by Steve Nova on Feb 13, 2009 2:22 AM EST reply actions

Hold it in Calgary. Iam sure it woukd be a success.

by EMM on Feb 13, 2009 7:05 AM EST reply actions

Showdown Joe Ferraro had Mr. Ratner on his radio program last night and he is remaining optimistic and positive that the event will be held in Montreal as planned…here’s the link

http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20090213_010832_37956

by Seamus on Feb 13, 2009 8:15 AM EST reply actions

See what happens when GSP isn’t in the Main event! Keep your panties on boys, this will still happen.

by The Juice! on Feb 13, 2009 8:48 AM EST reply actions

phenomenal angel how many Pride fighters had serious brain damage (and how many boxers do)?

The fact is UFC rules are a very watered down version of true vale tudo, and it has less to do with some mythical safety concern, and more to do with ignorance of people like Mccain, and other athletic comission losers.

If UFC was so concerned about brain damage how about they get rid of rounds, you do know why they have rounds don’t you, so each fighter can recover their energy, come back like a machine, pummel each other harder to a brain jarring highlight reel KO. In a real fight there are no time breaks so that you can catch your breath and have a drink so that you can come back rejuvunated to hit the other guy harder and vice versa.

There is a healthy balance between fighter safety (for example forbidding biting, eye gouging, groin strikes, strikes to the back of the head) and authentic fighting, the UFC has tipped far enough that its pretty much a shadow of true MMA. Perhaps they should intro olympic boxing type headgear to increase fighter safety ….

by Leonidas on Feb 13, 2009 12:17 PM EST reply actions

Why every time something is wrong here we are ALL f*cking ’’Frenchies’’ when you bash like Gary Shaw for been an idiot you don’t blame all the f*cking country. I like this blog cause he is intelligent and respectful most of the time, but it seems like retards are begining to take over…

by Barnack on Feb 13, 2009 7:12 PM EST reply actions

THE ONE AND THE ONLY PROBLEMS IS STÉPHANE PATRY OH YESS GUY’S THERE IS THE MAJOR PROBLEM THIS MAN HAVE DONE SOME GOOD THING IN THE LAST YEARS OR SO WITH (UCC)(TKO) THEY BROUGHT SOME MAJOR STARS LIKE GSP IN THE MAJOR LEAGUE OF MMA (UFC)BUT THAT IT PATRY IS A DANA WHITE WANNA BE BUT I WILL NEVER BE WHATS THAT SHIT ABOUT STRIKEBOX WE DONT WANT THAT WE WANT MMA NO SHOWS FOR HOCKEY GOONS . MISTER PATRY THE TIME AS COME YOU HAVE TO HIDE YOURSELF FROM MMA OTHERWISE DANA WHITE WILL MAKE SURE YOU WONT FUCK UP ANOTHER SHOW OF THE UFC IN MONTREAL YOU ARE A POOR VERSION OF WHITE WANNA BE VERY VERY POOR YOU ARE NOW USELESS FOR THE SPORTS YOU’VE DONE GOOD BUT THIS IS THE END GO RENT A ROOM OR SOMETHING I MEAN COME ON STRIKEBOXING HEUH!!!! STRIKEBOX HEUH!!!! TITAN JAJAJA POOR ORGANISATION YOUR TIME IS OVER MISTER WANNA BE THANKS FOR WHAT YOU’VE DONE BUT PLEASE GO AWAY MISTER NO PERSONALITY.

by bobby on Feb 16, 2009 11:14 PM EST reply actions

Bring the UFC to Nova Scotia. The Metro Centre could sell out 11500 seats no problem. I’ve got my tickets to Montreal and I’ll be quite upset if this doesn’t happen.

by Fight Fan 33 on Feb 18, 2009 12:47 PM EST reply actions