Discuss Mixed Martial Arts fighters here from Fedor Emelianenko to Sean Sherk or maybe you would like to discuss upcoming events from organizations such as UFC, Pride or K-1.
With 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.
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.
Hopefully joe goes and sees it >.>
I found a poor man once
He was the age of fifty-three
He spoke about the government
And the thought of being free
What good does us reason if we fail to see?
What good does us freedom if we fail to be free
07-31-2007, 12:03 PM
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