Report: UFC “Tentatively Planning” Fall Event in Chicago

Dr.Chicago · 07-31-2007, 09:52 AM

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Report: UFC “Tentatively Planning” Fall Event in Chicago

Posted by UFC Junkie on July 31, 2007 at 9:05 am ET

Andrei ArlovskiWith more and more U.S. states electing to regulate mixed-martial art, the list of potential host cities has ballooned in recent months. And according to a recent story in a Chicago-based business publication, the UFC may be heading to the Windy City for an event this year.

Despite major events scheduled for Cincinnati (Oct. 20), Newark, N.J. (Nov. 17) and Las Vegas (Dec. 29), Crain’s Chicago Business says the UFC may be headed to Chicago’s Allstate Arena or the United Center in the fall. Additionally, former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, a Chicago fighter, may be booked for the event.

The state of Illinois banned “ultimate fighting” events in 1996, but a bill to reinstate the events has passed both houses of the state legislature and is now up for Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s consideration.

The general consensus is that the governor will approve the bill and lift the existing ban. In fact, the UFC is so confident that the organization reportedly has a Chicago event in the works.

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From Crain’s:

If the ban is lifted, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation estimates the state could collect $1 million a year from a tax on fight tickets. The bill also includes a 3% tax on the first $500,000 earned at the gate for each UFC event. The organization is tentatively planning a fall event at Allstate Arena or the United Center that could include area fighters like Andrei Arlovski, a former UFC heavyweight champion.

Unfortunately, UFCjunkie.com wasn’t able to immediately reach the story’s author for clarification. Additionally, UFCjunkie.com has left a message with Arlovski’s camp for comment.

Should the event take place — and if it does, it’ll make for a busy fall fight season — Allstate Arena would accommodate approximately 18,000 fans, and the United Center could hold more than 23,000.

In addition to Arlovski, Chicago is home to UFC fighter Terry Martin. Additionally, Stephan Bonnar lived and trained in Chicago until his recent move to Las Vegas, and former UFC veteran and “The Ultimate Fighter 4” cast member Shonie Carter also fights out of Chicago. All are possibilities for a possible event.

Oh my God, PLEASE make it happen..

UFC in my home town would be the BEST!!

And since I'm considering going to Cincinnati to watch Silva-Franklin.. This may be a second one for me.. in on year *can't breath seriously*

twigz · 07-31-2007, 10:00 AM

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Originally Posted by Dr.Chicago

Oh my God, PLEASE make it happen..

UFC in my home town would be the BEST!!

And since I'm considering going to Cincinnati to watch Silva-Franklin.. This may be a second one for me.. in on year *can't breath seriously*

I hear you man. I wish they'd get on Michigans ass so we can have UFC's up here. I'm also thinking about hitting up Ohio because its the closest to me and a Franklin/Silva rematch would be tits to see in person.

Nice to see UFC is making progress tho!

I heart LNP · 07-31-2007, 10:49 AM

Thats pretty cool. Since it is taking so long for UFC to come to Canada I might consider going to the event in Chicago.

Dr.Chicago · 07-31-2007, 04:34 PM

Welcome any time in "the Windy City" man!

Dana White also promised GSP an event in Montreal.. if that happens anytime, i'm gonna go.. one of my best buddies lives there.. So it's 2 birds 1 rock for me!

daveyxx · 08-02-2007, 08:47 PM

oh thank you thank you! lol. please rod.. lift the ban.

Elder · 08-03-2007, 02:27 AM

I can't wait for the Cincinnati event either. When do you think tickets will go on sale? Rich Franklin is signing autographs at a local horse track this weekend. I am going to go meet the dude in person.

Mulla · 08-03-2007, 06:48 AM

Is there a reason the UFC havent been there before? There's already a few promotions in Chicago and the surrounding area and there's a few UFC fighters from Chicago....

If I could afford a trip to the States, Chicago's probably one of the cities Id most like to visit.

Dr.Chicago · 08-03-2007, 09:48 AM

I heard that the other promotions that were held here in Chicago weren't sanctioned.. There were no drug testing, physical exams, etc.

UFC can do it here.. but they wanna do it legitimate.. they wanna play by the rules..

Mulla · 08-03-2007, 10:13 AM

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Originally Posted by Dr.Chicago

I heard that the other promotions that were held here in Chicago weren't sanctioned.. There were no drug testing, physical exams, etc.

UFC can do it here.. but they wanna do it legitimate.. they wanna play by the rules..

Really? Doesnt Monte Cox run an org there? Surely he wouldnt run an unsanctioned event with no testing, exams etc?

Dr.Chicago · 08-03-2007, 12:41 PM

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Originally Posted by Mulla

Really? Doesnt Monte Cox run an org there? Surely he wouldnt run an unsanctioned event with no testing, exams etc?

Well i don't know where Monte Cox runs his business.. But i said before I'm not sure about how do the other promotions hold the event here? All I heard is they are unsanctioned..

Dr.Chicago · 08-07-2007, 12:03 AM

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2007 UFC Event in Chicago Unlikely - UFCjunkie.com Update

Posted by UFC Junkie on August 6, 2007

Last week we passed along a report from a Chicago business publication that stated the UFC was “tentatively planning” a fall event in Chicago. However, after speaking to representatives from the Illinois Athletic Commission and some possible venues, and tapping into some other resources, UFCjunkie.com can now report that a 2007 event is unlikely.

The original report, published by Crane’s, never quoted a source but stated that a Chicago event could happen by the end of the year. The fact that UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner and UFC president Dana White had previously stated that the Windy City was being targeted for a future event added credibility to the report. White mentioned Chicago as a possibility just as recently as May 9.

However, with the state of Illinois still awaiting the lift on a previous MMA ban, and with the UFC’s calendar of events already packed through 2007, early 2008 is now looking like a more likely scenario.

The first problem stems from the current “state of flux” regarding MMA regulation in Illinois, according to Sue Hofer, spokersperson for the Illinois Athletic Commission.

“During this latest session, legislation was passed out of both houses that would change the system so that MMA would become an approved and regulated sport in Illionois,” Hofer said. “Instead of issuing exemptions, you would have the state overseeing MMA just like boxing.“

However, that legislation needs to be signed by the governor, and right now, he’s reportedly focused on the state’s 2008 budget. However, Hofer is told that Governor Rod R. Blagojevich will exmaine the bill as soon as possible.

The sport of mixed-martial arts was first banned in 2004. It’s not that the state was opposed to the sport, Hofer said. Instead, the athletic commission wanted to assure proper safety precautions for fighters.

“When we first banned what we termed ‘extreme fighting’ events in 2004, these organizations were brand new,” Hofer said. “We were seeing events where a few guys would come into a bar and ask for volunteers, and they’d fight right there. We didn’t want that happening in our state. That’s why the legislation to ban the sport was passed, but it’s always had a structured waiver process that would allow MMA and other types of formatted programs to continue.“

In fact, that waiver process has been used often. According to state records, the athletic commission has granted a total of 58 waivers in 2007 alone. That’s how the International Fight League, for example, was able to conduct events in Illinois back in April and May.

“A promoter comes to us and seeks a waiver of the ban,” Hofer said. “They have to meet criteria, such as not making up rules as you go along, and that individual matches be competitive and that they must be determined in advance. Then there’s insurance and appropriate health safeguards and that the sanctioning be done by someone other than the promoter.“

In other words, someone other than the MMA organization must oversee the event. While there are third parties available in Illinois to do that, the UFC has a strict rule.

“There are some other organizations that have gone [into Chicago] for events,” Ratner said in a recent interview. “We refuse to go anywhere that isn’t regulated by the state athletic commission itself.“

Knowing the governor’s signature is needed for the regulation to go into effect, Ratner said 2008 looks like the most likely option for a UFC event in Chicago.

“Probably not this year,” Ratner said. “We’re pretty booked up this year.“

As for a location, sources close to Allstate Arena and the United Center that spoke to UFCjunkie.com confirmed that the UFC has been in contact about future events. However, at this point, Allstate Arena (which is located just outside Chicago in Rosemont, Ill.) appears to be the front runner. Ratner confirmed the location in the interview.

Allstate Arena could accommodate approximately nearly 20,000 fans.

In addition to former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, Chicago is home to UFC fighter Terry Martin. Additionally, Stephan Bonnar lived and trained in Chicago until his recent move to Las Vegas, and former UFC veteran and “The Ultimate Fighter 4” cast member Shonie Carter also fights out of Chicago. All are possibilities for a future event.

Man! That SUX big time!

But at least it's just for now.. I'm pretty sure that we'll have UFC in 2008!

I bolded some text.. I guess that answers your questions Mulla

Kentified · 08-07-2007, 02:43 AM

I was just in Chicago last weekend, first time I'd ever been there. Cool city, was stupid how they charge to go up in the series tower though. =(