Maddy and Daniel Luu


MMA is the world’s fastest rising sport and it’s been rising even faster here in Western Canada.

Canada’s been called the “Mecca” of MMA by UFC president Dana White and it isn’t one of his normal hyperboles. Every UFC events there’s always a flood of Canadian fans packing the arenas.

Canada loves MMA.

If there’s any more proof of Canada’s growing obsession with MMA, then look no further then Georges “Rush” St.Pierre. Somehow, GSP has won the Sportsnet Canadian Athlete of the Year two years straight in a hockey crazed nation. Being more popular (or at least as popular) than a hockey great Jarome Iginla and Sidney Crosby is no easy task.

Then there’s the UFC coming down to Montreal next month for the highly anticipated rematch between Shogun Rua and Lyoto Machida. And in June the UFC will be coming back up north for UFC 115 in Vancouver. Even Calgary is getting in on the action with WEC 49 coming to the Stampede Corral.

And of course there have been talks about sanctioning MMA in Ontario. Fans have been demanding for an UFC event in Toronto since the UFC made its trip to Montreal at UFC 83. Would the Skydome draw a sellout crowd?

With all the delays of sanctioning MMA in Ontario, maybe the UFC will look west instead and come to Alberta? The City of Champions already is behind MMA. Take the Edmonton based MFC for instance. There’s no denying that it’s becoming one of the top MMA organizations in North America. There have been a few MMA camps also popping around here, producing such talents as former UFC notables Tim Hague and Jason McDonald not to mention a plethora of exciting up and comers.  Fighters from other areas of Canada are moving to Edmonton to focus their training and hone their skills.  Hayabusa Training Center in St. Albert is becoming a hot bed for budding talent.

The Edmonton Lacrosse team, The Rush, has decided to get into the MMA game, hiring Randy Couture as their strength and condition coach. The Natural’s first appearance at Rexall Place probably drew more cheers that night than anything else on that lacrosse field.

As the City’s passion continues to heat up, bringing more and more talent here to fight and increasing training facilities and camps, it’s an exciting time for Edmonton and the for sport. It may end up that  Edmonton becomes the Canadian Vegas for MMA.