http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translat...0218-1423043.html&lp=fr_en&btnTrUrl=Translate The UFC has agreed to ban standing footstomps (sorry, Matt Serra) in order to comply a little bit with how the Quebec commission wants to see the sport get safer. Other terms were agreed to as well, I'm sure, but the foot stomps seem to be the only rule change. Seems as though there will be a press conference soon confirming the event will still proceed as planned. Great news for UFC fans, especially those like myself who have already purchased tickets to the event.
Re: Breaking: UFC and Quebec agree to terms, UFC 97 in Montreal still a go Here is a better translation by myself... According to Martin Lemay, UFC 97 will proceed as planned at the Bell Centre in Montreal. A press conference may happen this afternoon to confirm. The commission that controls racing, gambling, alcohol, and combat sports in Quebec met with UFC President Dana White (no they didn't, they met with other UFC officials, including Marc Ratner and Lorenzo Fertitta, reportedly), to sort the mess out, specifically the fight rules and the fighting area. The conventional UFC rules will stand, including knees, elbow strikes to a downed opponent, and (not mentioned) the original caged Octagon fighting environment. The UFC has agreed to ban foot stomps for the event as the attack serves little purpose other than to injure the opponent. Whether or not this will become a UFC sanctioned rule or not is not known at this time. The main event pits Anderson Silva against Thales Leites for the middleweight title. (There is no unification taking place as Leites is the top contender, not already a champion.) Quebec native David Loiseau, former UFC middleweight contender, faces Ed Herman on the card.
The article was updated. New information suggests that the UFC guaranteed Montreal $12-million in revenue by hosting the event, but also reserved the MGM Grand Garden Arena if the commission was unwilling to negotiate. It also mentions that GSP will be headlining UFC 100.
The first time I heard that the Quebec commission agreed, but only if footstomps were banned, I really thought it was a joke. It just seems so absurd. Look at the damage Kongo did to Al Turk, he broke 3 bones in Al Turk's face via his viscious GnP elbows. Or look at the kicks Pat Barry did to Evensen, he probably tore his ACL or something. Or similarily what CC did to HMC. I don't think I've really heard of any fighter complaining about footstomps, but hell I'd hate to have my knee blow out and have to have surgery and rehab it, and be at risk of re-injuring it.
It seems a bit random, but it was just a way for the Quebec commission to be able to say they made it safer and thereby safe some face over the mess they made. It is probably one of the least significant forms of attack which is why the UFC was fine with axing it. Its like banning karate chops.
fuck NOT THE KARATE CHOPS! haha I am glad this issued got resolved. I mean I am not gonna be their in person so if they relocated it wouldnt affect me that much but I think it would of been a big blow to the expansion of the UFC in other areas of Canada if this one got called off.
