MMA body slams London
The John Labatt Centre made a big
announcement on January 28: they
will be hosting an MMA event on
May 19, entitled MMA Live 1.
"Outside the UFC, this will be the
largest MMA event ever held in
Ontario," said Tony Lee, the host of
MMA Live 1. The event will be presented
by Jones Entertainment
Group.
MMA was legalized in Ontario on August 15, 2010 and the first UFC event will be held at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on April 30. Since the sanctioning of this sport in Ontario, MMA has exploded. "Now there are going to be even more gyms opening up," said Lee. "TapOut training gyms ... are branching out in every city in Ontario."
The fighters that the Jones Entertainment Group is looking to for the main event are at the calibre of UFC fighters, said Lee, but the card will not be determined for another two to three weeks.
The potential card includes half a dozen London athletes, a few from surrounding areas and several from the GTA. Athletes from New York State, Michigan and Montreal are also possibilities.
Carlos Newton is a fighter involved in MMA Live 1. He said he could not be happier that MMA has found Ontario. "I've fought everywhere else ... and every time I've come home to Canada, I've always been so overwhelmed with the ability to compare. Wow, I actually live in the best place. It's unmatched anywhere else in the world. I can honestly say with all that travel experience Canada is worth fighting for. That's why I'm proud to be a Canadian fighter."
Joel and Josh Powell, also MMA fighters, say they haven't heard any negative feedback upon bringing MMA into Ontario. These twins will also be fighting at the MMA Live 1 event.
Tickets go on sale February 3 at the JLC for $45 to $47.
MMA was legalized in Ontario on August 15, 2010 and the first UFC event will be held at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on April 30. Since the sanctioning of this sport in Ontario, MMA has exploded. "Now there are going to be even more gyms opening up," said Lee. "TapOut training gyms ... are branching out in every city in Ontario."
The fighters that the Jones Entertainment Group is looking to for the main event are at the calibre of UFC fighters, said Lee, but the card will not be determined for another two to three weeks.
The potential card includes half a dozen London athletes, a few from surrounding areas and several from the GTA. Athletes from New York State, Michigan and Montreal are also possibilities.
Carlos Newton is a fighter involved in MMA Live 1. He said he could not be happier that MMA has found Ontario. "I've fought everywhere else ... and every time I've come home to Canada, I've always been so overwhelmed with the ability to compare. Wow, I actually live in the best place. It's unmatched anywhere else in the world. I can honestly say with all that travel experience Canada is worth fighting for. That's why I'm proud to be a Canadian fighter."
Joel and Josh Powell, also MMA fighters, say they haven't heard any negative feedback upon bringing MMA into Ontario. These twins will also be fighting at the MMA Live 1 event.
Tickets go on sale February 3 at the JLC for $45 to $47.
