The Toronto BJJ Academy has a women's only training area for one-on-one workouts.
By ANDREW ROBICHAUD
David Bodrug arrived at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in downtown Toronto and was greeted by hugs, cheers and an excitement he had never seen at the training facility before.
That’s how he found out.
Andrew Baker was surfing mixed martial arts (MMA) forums at home after a tiring 12-hour day at his packaging factory job.
That’s how he found out.
It was Aug. 15, 2010, one day after the government of Ontario announced, after years of stalling, MMA would be legalized in the province and events could begin taking place next year.
The government directed the focus of the legalization toward revenue – a statement to the Canadian Press from the Premier’s office predicted $6 million of economic activity per event – and safety – then Minister of Consumer Services, MPP Sophia Aggelonitis, told CP regulating the sport was the best way to keep fighters safe.
However, for people like Bodrug, a 24-year-old fighter, and Baker, a 28-year-old fan, the change means something much different.
“This is my dream, this is my passion,” Bodrug, a lightweight (155 lbs.) who walks around at about 175 lbs., said. “It’s a reality.”
“It means the chance to actually get to see it and experience it on a whole new level,” Baker, the packager by day, MMA enthusiast by night, said.
Baker has been watching MMA for almost eight years and says the feeling when he found out the sport was coming to Ontario was a little surreal.
“I didn’t know what to do, I was pretty excited,” he said. “I thought of calling everyone I know and telling them to max their credit cards on UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) tickets.”
In Bodrug’s case, it’s Ontario followers like Baker that crossed his mind after finding out he could fight in his home province.
“It sunk in pretty quickly,” said. “The first I was thinking is that now I can fight in front of tons of family, friends and local fans.”
Before, fighters from Ontario would have to travel to other sanctioned areas, like Edmonton, where Bodrug has a record of 2-0 as a professional, in order to compete. Bodrug says it wasn’t always the easiest task to stay motivated in the gym.
“It did put a damper on my training,” he said. “(As an Ontario fighter) you’re always the out-of-towner. Nobody wants to sponsor you.”
The legalization presents the opportunity for Bodrug to compete locally, but also for Baker to become more immersed in the sport.
“Now that it’s legal we’re going to be able to go to shows close to home and see fight nights,” he said. “We’re going to get to see a lot of amateur talent and get a lot closer to it.”
Josh Rapport, director of the BJJ Academy, says it’s a big deal to fans and fighters alike.
“People in the province want to compete but they also want to watch,” he said. “For fans of the sport and people training to be fighters, it’s a dream come true.”
After receiving excited phone calls and texts from club members on the day it happened, Rapport feels some validation as a fan and participant of MMA in Ontario.
“What it does is legitimize the passion we all have,” he said. “There is a huge fan base in Toronto and in Ontario and this makes it acceptable… instead of just defending it because it was illegal.”
Bodrug, a good friend of Rapport, hopes with more MMA events throughout the province, his often-defensive conversations can turn into constructive discussions.
“People are going to continue to learn about it and appreciate more. Its not just a bunch of bar brawlers in there,” he said. “Its world-class athletes who train twice a day every day for many hours. Once people realizes that, it’s just going to keep on growing.”
Rapport agrees with Bodrug, saying although current fans of MMA will experience immediate positives, new fans all over Ontario will begin to get involved.
“It presents the opportunity for fans to participate more and for more fans to develop an understanding beyond two guys fighting,” he said. “There can be a deeper understanding for the training and skill involved in the sport.”
FAN Magazine 