As was reported late last night, UFC 97 is in serious jeopardy after the reinforcement of Quebec’s liquor and gaming board’s revised regulations. The issue is so severe that UFC president Dana White is personally heading up to Montreal to hold an emergency meeting with the board to see if he can salvage UFC 97, an event that features the world’s most prolific MMA fighter in Anderson Silva.
White’s selling point is $12 million reasons strong, “we’re talking about a $12-million economic impact … ticket taxes alone will be $1-million,” White recently told CKAC radio in Montreal.
With the world’s current economic state, White can’t fathom why Quebec’s liquor and gaming board is willing to throw away money that could help their province.
The problem apparently lies within the board itself, as the senior management has changed from the team that allowed UFC 83 to take place in Montreal last year. Some feel that even if the board allows for the UFC to come to Montreal, it won’t be in time for the April 18th event.