Montreal shines but deserves better

I have long said it, Canadian fans are the best MMA fans around. Unfortunately for our neighbors up north haven't been treated to the best MMA around.

This past weekend the UFC returned to Montreal for the second time. Both times the crowd has been over 20,000 and UFC 97 garnered a $4.9 million gate while UFC 83 pulled in a $5.1 million gate. Clearly there is a passionate fan base that will come out and spend a lot of money to see MMA. More then just money the region is transfixed by MMA. Now if the UFC can just give them a good fight card.

For whatever reasons UFC 97's main event spoiled what was a decent fight card. Shogun Rua knocked out Chuck Liddell and sent a legend into likely retirement. Clearly a historical moment that MMA fans will remember for a long time. Sam Stout and Matt Wiman put on a fantastic three round bout right after the Rua-Liddell bout. Steve Cantwell and Luis Cane put on a good fight though Cane easily won. Brian Stann showed he has no ground game, pleasing the contingent of MMA fans that demand submissions. Hell, even Cheick Kongo gave the fans a nice show. But it was all for not, due to Thales Leites and Anderson Silva. Both fighters are culpable and deserve the blame for driving our friends up north insane.

Last year's UFC 83 placed Matt Serra in the role of sacrificial lamb to George St. Pierre and the Canadians. I am sure that the local French Canadians, pardon me Québécois, enjoyed watching local hero beating the shit of Serra, but overall UFC 83's fight card was weak.

The Canadian fans deserve better then sub par main events and the UFC should give them a fight card that is equal to their passions and wallets.

Perhaps Anderson Silva vs. George St. Pierre?