The Criminal Code of Canada specifically forbids “prize fighting,” but gives an exemption for “boxing contests” as long as they’re regulated by the local athletic commission. Obviously the wording “boxing contest” is a problem. Several other provinces and cities have basically decided not to take that phrase literally… the rationale is that MMA didn’t exist when the law was written, but as long as it’s regulated by the athletic commission, it meets the intent of the law and falls under the same exemption.

But the head of the Ontario athletic commission, Ken Hayashi, insists on taking it literally, claims MMA is not a “boxing contest” and therefore doesn’t meet the legal exemption. The truth is that he just doesn’t like MMA, and it’s a convenient excuse for him to hide behind and claim it’s out of his hands. He’s careful how he talks about it now, but I’ve read that he and others on the commission have said in the past that they won’t regulate MMA because they think it’s barbaric and such.

So the bottom line is that nothing will change until either Hayashi is replaced, or the premier decides to pressure him to change his stance. But apparently that’s not a priority for the premier right now.