The voice of the local pro wrestling community Dave Teixeira is up. References community charter that gives municipalities the right to regulate comabt sports. Should be happy about that power. Quotes the injury stats – more deaths in badminton. more serious injuries in cheerleading. Shares with Council his love for cheerleaders however. Makes the correction that in terms of economic IMPACT (makes the distinction from the staff report), it would be about $20 million. Jang asks about copycat cases in the public with wrestling and MMA. Dave talks about protecting the fanbase and their safety. But you need to weed out those that are going to do what they are going to do in terms of mimicry. Meggs asking if wrestling is going up or down? Dave says wrestling in down about 20 per cent so far, directly as a result of the UFC phenomenon. Eating pro wrestling’s lunch, and now UFC is exploding because of masterful promotion. Dave makes good point about bad apples in politics just as there are bad apples in the world of MMA, and so don’t quote individual injuries on isolation.

This latest speaker is ridiculous – says MMA is only sensational violence that is only about the bottom line. It represents toxic values – keep Vancouver UFC free like it is nuclear free. Jang asks this aikido dojo sensei about the violence of other martial arts. Jang says parents should be involved. Yes, but kickboxing and MMA studios cannot get insurance. Are you against karate? No, as long as it is properly administered. So Jang asks, if there is regulation, what is your issue? Intent and intention (aikido is all passive and defensive without competition). MMA is about punishment, and karate and other martial arts are not about violence. Woodsworth is now beaming because she finally found someone to agree with her. Best submission and best knockout purses are questioned. Speaker says it is all about money, and questions statistics from universities like John Tomkins down south who have quantified the low injury rates of MMA. He is speaking out of his ass quite frankly.

Meggs asks about betting and how they protect from fixed fights. Epstein answers that his bosses are in the casino business and are held to the highest legal standards. Meggs asks about amateur sport and financial support. Epstein says they are a very charitable organization, but they don’t get too involved in amateur sports because they don’t want to compromise other. Chow asks about moral standards and UFC’s arguments on fighting. Epstein says that regulation is where they started With the owners of Zuffa being from the gaming business. Morals and ethics are high with their athletes, and they are highly educated. Martial arts backgrounds are based on respect, honour and sportsmanship. Harvey Jones is the next speaker, VP for Northwest Sports (GM Place, CanucksM etc.). They like UFC. They think they are professional. He talks about the economic impact – 500 pary time staff, restaurants,hotels, etc. Many spectators come from outside of the province (up to one quarter. Indemnity is for EVERY event at GM Place…standard fare. We need to act now. Jang question: Canucks game, how different from UFC? Must look at security, alcohol management, crowd composition. Typical insurance for GM Place is $5 million. Louie question: insurance 5 million? That is what GM Place requires from promoter, but they have much more. What is insurer’s rating? Not sure. You use waivers for indemnity? Yes. Minister James Moore here to speak. Minister says federal government is entirely supportive of motion, sanctioning and hosting the event. This UFC event will be another in a 2010 full of global events coming to Vancouver. Moore went to one of the Montreal UFC events and says that all global city hosts have been through this kind of process. But Moore is absolutely gushing about what an opportunity this is. Gives a shoutout to GSP, a Canadian who he says is the biggest star in the world’s fastest growing sport. Moore says there is ABSOLUTELY no legal obstacles from the federal POV. Says pass the motion. Woodsworth asks who invited him. Moore says he invited himself. Woodsworth asks why Bill C-31 delayed. As usual blames it on the opposition. What is their opposition? Moore says ask them, but it has nothing to do with MMA. Deal says thank you for being here. Are you jealous there is no arena big enough in Port Moody? Anton awkwardly tells Moore to come again. Asks is they will woerk with City officials on this issue? Absolutely…cross-jurisdictional and so entirely appropriate. Reimer…Moore said that constituents overwhelmingly support. Reimer asks for polling data. Canada UFC’s biggest market per capita. Compared to arijuana use and Reimer jokingly asks whether they will move forward on that file. Reimer asks about the feds not proceeding on criminal prosecution in Montreal. Moore said feds don’t get involved in RCMP matters. Moore sits down after beating the MMA booster drum the loudest thus far.

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.