MMA fighter Bill Mahood (former UFC and StrikeForce competitor) wants amateur administering body, particular for youth development. He is working with Sport BC, the federation of amateur sports organizations, to try for a BC provincial body for MMA (like Tennis BC or Gymnastics). Sport BC wants to instill good governance. Woodsworth asking about preference of Sport BC on provincial regulation and why it has taken the province so long. Sport BC rep says it is such a young sport, and references the experts involved in the group fighting for a provincial body. Deal encourages the movement forward for a provincial body. Laurence Epstein and Michael Mirsch from UFC are here. Epstein gives a rundown of scope and size of UFC. They only go to jurisdictions with PROPER regulation. They are very staunch about this. Marc Ratner is the man in regulating MMA and his team are the global regulatory experts for combat sports. Wants UFC for Vancouver in June 2010 at GM Place. Insurance and indemnity – they have minimum of $12 million insurance…MINIMUM. Both for crowds (trip down stairs) and fighters. Indemnity – half a dozen cities and states including San Antonio, Portland and Philadelphia have got indemnity. Jang wants claims history, because Epstein saying it isn’t very deep, San Antonio, someone slipped. Biggest claim so far. For participants they insure for medical coverage. What is the crowd experiences and crowd control issues from past experience? Epstein talks about 4-man security advance team and interaction with local law enforcement. Never had any problems. Deal talks about regulation evolution in fights. Regulation is key…they are the standard globally for the rules of the octagon, according to Epstein. Constantly looking on how to make the sport safer. Woodsworth asks about when he got the report. Epstein got report yesterday going through customs on blackberry. Woodsworth asks how much UFC makes. Epstein says they are a private company, and confirms for Woodsworth that Vancouver is indeed expected to be profitable. Epstein has spoken to de Jong about 90 days ago. Woodsworth wants to know if the staff proposals are enough protection. Epstein confirms that he only goes to jurisdictions with regulation, and these guidelines make their criteria. Woodsworth asks about money again and how much they will make. Epstein rightly states that money is not the organizations only gauge for events – long-term growth is multifaceted. Reimer asks about his opinion on Criminal Code. Epstein is a lawyer down south, but doesn’t know Canadian law.. But he thinks that the section in the current code gives provinces and cities the ability to take a lead in sanctioning and regulating. Reimer wants to ask about the small mickey mouse reporters (not exactly in those words) – can others offer the same standards of UFC. Epstein says regulation makes a universal standard for all to meetz. Louie asks about $12 million insurance explanation. Epstein says cities are added to claim. Louie asks about insurer’s rating. Epstein needs to get clarification – mentions AIG but immediately expresses regret at doing so Tgot a chuckle from the room). Louie can we see the policy? Yes. Now we have Mike Mirsch also from UFC.

Anron asked useless question about staff time spent on this issue. Woodsworth asking about MMA criminality, but City Manager Penny Ballem states that out of date stautes are bound to be surpassed by societal progress (paraphrased). Ballem says it is a pilot and trial, but she is willing to proceed with best practices in place and also the indemnity clause. Woodsworth worries about concussion liability, but check out my Part 2 of the MMA series (a link posted yesterday) that details the minute risk compared to things like cheerleading. Ballem references snowboarding as much more risky for the head, speaking as a physician. Woodsworth is totally off base with this one, as city stats show that concussion risk compared to boxing is about one third. Rick McKenna from VPD up to answer Deal’s question about underground fights, one of which was shut down just a week after the Edgewater event. VPD rep wants city to get into the sanctioning business to make the fighting industry in this city above board. Reimer asking about indemnity – injuries, crowd control – what is the level of the indemnity? Ballem says they are experts on indemnification, but there are many considerations to factor in before a specific amount can be identified. Meggs asks about AG letter – Bill C-31 introduced by feds in May, but cannot fing text of bill. Hammill says that it had to do with amateur, not pros. Chow asks about increase of risks if it takes place in city facility. Ballem answers, but still needs to talk internally with with facilities like the PNE Coliseum.

Canadian Athletic Commissions have taken different approaches across the country. Province first passed the buck back to city, but a letter received yesterday from AG Mike de Jong said that he is now willing to look at sanctioning – will not criticize or rule out Montreal model. Concussion rates in boxing and hockey are much, much higher. VPD said that previous events have not been more of a problem than a hockey game for example. Best practices collected from 6 Canadian and 3 American jurisdictions (long list) with regards to administering such an event. UFC rules are tight as a drum. 3 scenarios for revenues but range is from $800,000 to $4.7 million – more than likely $1.5 million (a GROSS underestimate). Concern about not enough medical oversight without sanctioning, but City would negotiate with province and medical bodies in BC to work something out. Raising the seat tax will go towards increased costs with regulating such an event. VAC must be broadened in knowledge, experience and legal affairs. Going over the recommendations as were outlined in the link I posted earlier. Woodsworth wants a deferral, Anton and Deal say no. Chow and Deal have now arrived so quorum is now met.

Deal and Chow absent. Robertson, Cadman (of course) and Stevenson on leave of absence. Clerk states that quorum is met. Rushing through agenda to get to MMA but Anton corrects the record that you need 8 votes for passage of recommendations. Presentations begin with Chief Licensing Officer Tom Hammill. However vote delayed; will not happen today. Crowd seems dejected.