| - Marco Antico |
| Copyright© 2008 Canadian Mixed Martial Arts Association (CMMAA). |
MMA Documentary on Global Canwest to air May 17th
by Marco Antico
It's 12:30am and I'm just arriving home from the first screening of a brand new MMA Documentary which is set
to air on Global Canwest television on May 17th. I really didn't have any expectations for this documentary nor
was I really sure how it would portray the sport of MMA. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a lot more than I
had bargained for.
Myself, Joe Ferraro, Marc Ratner, Georges St-Pierre and some douche bag professor from the University of
Toronto serve as the backdrop of the story. The documentary is rooted on the plight of Albert Doxtator,
promoter of Fighting Spirit Challenge held on the Onieda Nation Reserve. Doxtator runs one of only two MMA
promotions which take place on aboriginal lands in the province of Ontario, one of the few provinces which
consider MMA to be illegal. Viewers of the documentary will certainly have mixed emotions on Doxtator, his
actions and on the legitimacy of MMA itself. In fact, it was probably the film makers intention to spark debate
over the topic. Did I mention that the douche bag UfT professor analogizes MMA to "watching people being
sacrificed to ferocious animals?"
On a side note, I have written on this website before that I do not believe these events on aboriginal land will
prompt the government into taking steps to legalize MMA. In fact, just last week the Native police from the Six
Nations reserve charged 5 of the promoters connected with the Iroquios Mixed Martial Arts Championship. If
those charges hold in a court of law it will most likely spell the end to these events altogether.
Watching the what Doxtator goes through to promote his event will likely win over many viewers. His
undeniable passion for the sport and his deep commitment to his athletes make one realize what a true
shame it is that the Ontario Athletic Commission (OAC) has taken such a hard stance against MMA. The guts,
heart and soul Doxtator displays certainly deserves the viewer's admiration whether you agree with what he's
doing or not. Doxtator speaks no bullshit and nor does he hold any punches. He presents himself in an
honest light and makes no bones about his motives. He believes strongly in the bond between aboriginals
and fighting and he hopes MMA will be a means for him provide for his family. In the end, he honored all of
his commitments (which is a lot more than most professional MMA promoters can say) despite not achieving
the return he had hoped for on his investment.
Intuitively speaking, the OAC's purpose should be to encourage the sporting activities of the citizens of
Ontario. Tragically, the OAC has acted on the contrary by effectively doing everything within it's power to
discourage not only MMA, but all combat sports from existing. MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world
and it's popularity is especially strong here in Ontario. In fact, 63% of the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada
came from the Greater Toronto Area for UFC 83! MMA gyms are popping up on almost every corner and more
and more youths are seeking places to train. Some want to become fighters themselves while others are
drawn in from their love of watching the sport. The fact is, MMA is here to stay and regardless of what
measures the OAC may take people will continue to look for ways to hold these types of events.
If the OAC closes the door on aboriginal events, people will begin holding more shows behind closed gym
doors. Event if the OAC were to set the highest standards for MMA athletes and promoters I doubt anyone
would complain. It would also be a major step in the right direction if the Ministry of Health Promotions were
to approve CMMAA's application for Amateur MMA. Bottom line is that the province desperately needs an
outlet for MMA. The only question is whether it will be done above board, with all the necessary safety
precautions or behind closed doors.
by Marco Antico
It's 12:30am and I'm just arriving home from the first screening of a brand new MMA Documentary which is set
to air on Global Canwest television on May 17th. I really didn't have any expectations for this documentary nor
was I really sure how it would portray the sport of MMA. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a lot more than I
had bargained for.
Myself, Joe Ferraro, Marc Ratner, Georges St-Pierre and some douche bag professor from the University of
Toronto serve as the backdrop of the story. The documentary is rooted on the plight of Albert Doxtator,
promoter of Fighting Spirit Challenge held on the Onieda Nation Reserve. Doxtator runs one of only two MMA
promotions which take place on aboriginal lands in the province of Ontario, one of the few provinces which
consider MMA to be illegal. Viewers of the documentary will certainly have mixed emotions on Doxtator, his
actions and on the legitimacy of MMA itself. In fact, it was probably the film makers intention to spark debate
over the topic. Did I mention that the douche bag UfT professor analogizes MMA to "watching people being
sacrificed to ferocious animals?"
On a side note, I have written on this website before that I do not believe these events on aboriginal land will
prompt the government into taking steps to legalize MMA. In fact, just last week the Native police from the Six
Nations reserve charged 5 of the promoters connected with the Iroquios Mixed Martial Arts Championship. If
those charges hold in a court of law it will most likely spell the end to these events altogether.
Watching the what Doxtator goes through to promote his event will likely win over many viewers. His
undeniable passion for the sport and his deep commitment to his athletes make one realize what a true
shame it is that the Ontario Athletic Commission (OAC) has taken such a hard stance against MMA. The guts,
heart and soul Doxtator displays certainly deserves the viewer's admiration whether you agree with what he's
doing or not. Doxtator speaks no bullshit and nor does he hold any punches. He presents himself in an
honest light and makes no bones about his motives. He believes strongly in the bond between aboriginals
and fighting and he hopes MMA will be a means for him provide for his family. In the end, he honored all of
his commitments (which is a lot more than most professional MMA promoters can say) despite not achieving
the return he had hoped for on his investment.
Intuitively speaking, the OAC's purpose should be to encourage the sporting activities of the citizens of
Ontario. Tragically, the OAC has acted on the contrary by effectively doing everything within it's power to
discourage not only MMA, but all combat sports from existing. MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world
and it's popularity is especially strong here in Ontario. In fact, 63% of the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada
came from the Greater Toronto Area for UFC 83! MMA gyms are popping up on almost every corner and more
and more youths are seeking places to train. Some want to become fighters themselves while others are
drawn in from their love of watching the sport. The fact is, MMA is here to stay and regardless of what
measures the OAC may take people will continue to look for ways to hold these types of events.
If the OAC closes the door on aboriginal events, people will begin holding more shows behind closed gym
doors. Event if the OAC were to set the highest standards for MMA athletes and promoters I doubt anyone
would complain. It would also be a major step in the right direction if the Ministry of Health Promotions were
to approve CMMAA's application for Amateur MMA. Bottom line is that the province desperately needs an
outlet for MMA. The only question is whether it will be done above board, with all the necessary safety
precautions or behind closed doors.