MMA in Ontario not priority: McGuinty

The province is not seriously considering allowing mixed martial arts competition in Ontario, the Canadian Press reported Wednesday.

Premier Dalton McGuinty has suggested before that he is open to the idea of allowing the combat sport in the province, which could lead to the popular Ultimate Fighting Championship making a trip to Toronto. But the premier recently told the Canadian Press that bringing the popular sport to Ontario is not a priority.

MMA, which combines grappling and striking arts to create a hybrid fighting style, is one of the world’s fastest growing spectator sports and has a strong fan base in Ontario.

UFC officials have claimed that an event in Toronto could generate about $4 million in tax revenue.

McGuinty said he is interested in strengthening the economy, but said tax reforms, infrastructure investment and early learning are his current priorities.

The sport of MMA is considered by Ontario to be a prize fight and is thus illegal under the criminal code of Canada. Athletic commissions in some other provinces have allowed MMA events to take place based on a different interpretation of the description of a prize fight.