The Political Fight in Ontario over MMA Continues...

I might have been gone for a while (sorry, but I still won't be around for a while) but that doesn't mean I didn't see the wonderful news that the province of Ontario *cough Toronto cough* decided to allow MMA events in part due to economic woes.

But the Canadian Press (via The Score) is reporting that there might have been some shenanigans with the lobby effort behind the scenes.

That's what some political opponents believe and they want an investigation!

TORONTO - Ontario's integrity watchdog is being asked to investigate the possibility that illegal lobbying may have played a role in convincing the governing Liberals to allow mixed martial arts in the province.

The New Democrats made the request Friday following reports that individuals are lobbying the Liberal government without registering - a violation of provincial laws.

Those reports also suggest that former premier David Peterson may have lobbied the government on behalf of Ultimate Fighting Championship, the party said.

Peterson has denied he did any lobbying, but NDP justice critic Peter Kormos said Ontario's integrity commissioner should investigate.

"The purpose of the Lobbyist Registration Act is to make government decision-making practices more open, transparent and accountable," Kormos wrote in an Aug. 20 letter to commissioner Lynn Morrison.

"This system is threatened when individuals skirt the rules."

Partisan politics aside this was just an excuse to post pictures of women drinking Canadian champagne otherwise known as Molson.