Lift The Ban Watch: Ontario Edition

Section 83 of the Criminal Code prohibits fighting with fists in contests that haven't been authorized by a legislated board or commission.

"It's how they're interpreting the code that's the problem," says Orest Zmyndak, executive director of the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission. Edmonton has been sanctioning MMA events since 2002, says Mr. Zmyndak, based on the belief that federal legislation governing boxing matches encompasses MMA. (Unlike Ontario, commissions in Alberta are a municipal responsibility.)

"That's what our lawyers believe and I would say just about every jurisdiction in Canada does except for Ontario," he says.

Indeed, a welterweight title fight between Matt Serra and Georges St-Pierre at Montreal's Bell Centre last Saturday drew 21,000 fans and was sold out in minutes.

In an interview, Ontario Athletics Commissioner Ken Hayashi declared himself neutral on the sport's future in the province, but said the federal government would need to amend the Criminal Code before he sanctions an event.

"MMA is not a boxing contest," he said. "They're not in a boxing ring, they wear open gloves, they can kick to the legs, they can knee, they can elbow, they can choke. All those techniques are illegal in a boxing contest."

But Six Nations police say it was Mr. Hayashi who initiated the official complaint that ended with charges against the five promoters.

"The complaint came from the Athletic Commissioner," said Deputy Chief Rocki Smith.

"We investigated it and laid the appropriate charges."

Mr. Hayashi said he merely "advised" the force on their investigation.