If this keeps up, I'll split the Canadian's out to their own thread.

Councillor Calls for MMA Ban
Says 'ridiculous' fights have no place in City of Gatineau-owned venues
By AEDAN HELMER, SUN MEDIA

Quebec won't outlaw events in wake of 'isolated' brawl

A Gatineau city councillor is leading a campaign to ban mixed martial arts from city-owned venues, and wants to see extreme fighting eventually banned across the city.

Coun. Alain Pilon, who heads Gatineau's commission on sports, leisure and recreational activity, said he will call for an outright ban on the blood sport (extreme fighting) when council reconvenes Aug. 18.

Pilon said Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau is onside with the idea, and he has also been gaining support from other colleagues.

"You hit the head of the other guy until he goes unconscious, and then you win. That's totally ridiculous," said Pilon. "It has no place in society, and especially not in Gatineau."

Pilon said he will first push to have mixed martial arts (MMA) banned from all city-owned venues, including the Robert Guertin Arena, where 3,000 fight fans packed the stands for last weekend's Freedom Fight.


WRONG KIND OF ATTENTION

Pilon will consult with the city's legal department about a blanket city-wide ban.

While the Freedom Fight was popular among fans, Pilon said the show attracts the wrong kind of attention as well.

Police are still investigating a brawl that broke out at a Gatineau Best Western hotel room after-party.

Two fighters were sent to hospital after nine men broke up the party, attacking guests with fists, bottles and a Taser.

Seven-time MMA champion Claude Patrick and event promoter Pete Rodley were among those attacked at around 4 a.m. Sunday.

Pilon said he was also upset with promoters for exploiting a city loophole by booking the arena for a "spectacle" instead of a sport.

Pilon, as head of the city's sport commission, said he would have denied permission to promoters if they had attempted to book the event as a sport.

"Nobody ever came to the commission to ask for permission for this," said Pilon. "Clearly we'll review that (process) and we'll see about fixing that."

Pilon said he hopes the public would support the ban.

"Extreme fighting events are banned in Ontario and most provinces except Quebec and Alberta. So we'll review with the commissioner and with council and hopefully move to ban this is our territory. We don't need this."