This is an issue that is near and dear to my heart. I am a proud Canadian, who is both an avid fan of MMA and the NHL. The fact that there is no hockey right now is killing me.
Canada is known as a hockey mad country. Recently though, Canadian fans have taken a real liking to MMA as well. Knowing this, the UFC has a huge opportunity in front of them.
The UFC only has one more event scheduled for Canada this year. That event is UFC 154 in Montreal. That is sure to be a sellout, as it is the return of Georges St. Pierre in his home province of Quebec.
As of the time of this writing, the NHL is still locked out, and looks to remain that way for the foreseeable future.
With no hockey for the Canadian fans to watch, here is where the UFC comes in. For the coming year, the UFC needs to schedule more shows in Canadian markets.
Whether that be in already successful locations like Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary, or in new Canadian locations, UFC brass needs to get on that immediately.
Canada’s fans are passionate about sports. At this point in time, they need a sport to rally behind that provides them with excitement and intrigue. A sport that really gets the blood pumping. MMA is clearly that sport.
It makes sense from the UFC’s perspective, too. Canadian fans will without a doubt sell out any card that is brought to them by Dana White and company.
They won’t need to put big names on the cards either, allowing the UFC to showcase some up-and-coming talent.
It’s basically a win-win situation. Fans in Canada will get more of a sport they absolutely love, while the UFC can expand into other Canadian markets, showcase their lesser known fighters and of course make some money, as well.
The UFC needs to take full advantage of the NHL lockout, because the benefits are just too good to pass up. Canada’s many fans need a sport to get behind where there is no threat of a lockout.
So please, in the new year, throw us a bone and schedule some more shows in Canada, will ya, White? I promise you won’t regret it.
Tweet me @FuscoNation16
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