Boston and Quebec heading in opposite directions

The state senate of Massachusetts moved one step closer to passing MMA legislation. The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security recently passed a bill that would place mixed martial arts under the regulatory authority of the state's athletic commission. While it still needs to pass the senate and be signed into law, MMA Weekly is reporting that the state legislatures are "sympathetic" to UFC's desire to hold an event in Boston later this year.

For those looking for more legal information regarding Massachusetts' legal reform one can read the full amendment here, just scroll down till you see EPS 602 on the right hand side of the screen. That indicates the start of the MMA legislation.

While Boston may be holding a UFC event later this year, things have taken an ugly turn in Quebec.

Bellator recently fled the Montreal market after interference from the Canadian equivalent of an athletic commission. Some will remember that UFC 97 was in doubt after a near riot occurred at an MMA hybrid event in Montreal. Since then the commission has been taking steps that appear to be killing one of the largest MMA markets in North American (the two UFC events held in Montreal had gates of $4.9 and $5.1 million).

Ariel Helwani sums up the situation perfectly,

At one time, Quebec was applauded for accepting MMA long before most major American states. However, following the controversy that broke out after the inaugural StrikeBox event in February -- an event and promotion that was doomed the moment it was launched -- the commission realized that their rule books were not up-to-date. Now, after almost a decade of sanctioning events in the province under the unified rules of MMA, the commission is pretending that none of those took place, and it's time to tinker with a really good thing.

As a result, one of North America's strongest supporters of MMA has turned into one of its biggest nuisances. With the possibility of Ontario legalizing MMA on the horizon, I wouldn't be surprised if the UFC stayed away from Montreal for a long time.

Canadian fans are the best in MMA and for this to happen is a real shame.