By Mike Johnston
Even a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion that helped change the landscape of the sport will be in attendance.
Mixed Martial Arts fans in the Greater Toronto Area are still waiting for the sport to be legalized, but that doesn’t mean fans can’t enjoy the sport in any capacity in their home province.
Even a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion that helped change the landscape of the sport will be in attendance.
Mixed Martial Arts fans in the Greater Toronto Area are still waiting for the sport to be legalized, but that doesn’t mean fans can’t enjoy the sport in any capacity in their home province.On June 12 and 13 the Toronto MMA Expo takes place at the International Centre. It is a unique event that gives the fans a chance to meet, speak with, and even train with many of the sport’s top stars.
Last year’s event was a huge success, but MMA Expo president Gerald Chopik says this year’s should exceed it. “Mixed Martial Arts Expo does get better every year,” said Chopik. “We have more fans every year, we have more fighters every year, we’ve got more things happening on the show floor every year. “
There will be a lot of great exhibits, booths and seminars at the Expo as well. “You can train with [former UFC champion] Andre Arlovski, you can roll with [Strikeforce champ] Jake Shields or Dan Henderson. [Strikeforce LHW champ] King Mo is there, Shoni Carter is there, Bibiano Fernandes the DREAM champion is going to be there,” said Chopik. In addition, Canadian UFC star Patrick “The Predator” Cote will be there along with Georges St. Pierre’s popular trainer Firas Zahabi. Forrest Griffin is coming in and we’ve got a few other surprises as well. Lots going on, so come on down,” added Chopik.
In addition to the celebrity guests, there will be a referee seminar for anyone who wishes to one day become a mixed martial arts ref, an MMA video game competition, and a number of martial arts demonstrations and competitions. “This year we’ve got six major tournaments on the show floor, it’s so cool,” said Chopik.
“The two most prestigious grappling tournaments in the world are the Abu Dhabi’s. They’ve never been held in the same place at the same time on the same weekend, and we have them both on the show floor this weekend. We’ve got sport jiu-jitsu, we’ve got a boxing card sanctioned by Boxing Ontario, we’ve got a kickboxing card. Lots of action, a lot of combat, unfortunately we still can’t have mixed martial arts, but everything else is there, so we’re excited.”
If fans would like to attend the event or learn more about MMA Expo visit mixedmartialartsexpo.com.
In addition to the celebrity guests, there will be a referee seminar for anyone who wishes to one day become a mixed martial arts ref, an MMA video game competition, and a number of martial arts demonstrations and competitions. “This year we’ve got six major tournaments on the show floor, it’s so cool,” said Chopik.
“The two most prestigious grappling tournaments in the world are the Abu Dhabi’s. They’ve never been held in the same place at the same time on the same weekend, and we have them both on the show floor this weekend. We’ve got sport jiu-jitsu, we’ve got a boxing card sanctioned by Boxing Ontario, we’ve got a kickboxing card. Lots of action, a lot of combat, unfortunately we still can’t have mixed martial arts, but everything else is there, so we’re excited.”
If fans would like to attend the event or learn more about MMA Expo visit mixedmartialartsexpo.com.
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