Can’t we all just get along?

Thank you, Rodney King. It’s a nice thought. How good would it be if Canada’s little chunk of the MMA world could come together, shake hands, dare I say even hug, and unite as one?

From my perspective, it would be a huge step in the right direction for this sport. There are two major promotions in Canada – the Quebec-based TKO run by Stephane Patry and the MFC which is owned and operated by Edmonton’s Mark Pavelich.

On a handful of occasions, the two have worked together, not necessarily in cross-promoting but at least by mutually agreeing to supporting each other’s shows and supplying fighters to their respective cards.

The next step is a unified Canadian title. The best news is there are plans in the works. Already set for March 10 in Edmonton is an MFC middleweight (185 pounds) title fight between Jason Macdonald and Patrick Cote.

After disappointing losses to UFC veterans Shonie Carter and Marvin Eastman, Macdonald got back in the title picture when he schooled Joe Doerksen in Doerksen’s home town of Winnipeg. Doerksen had never lost by rear-naked choke before Macdonald put one on him to get the tapout.

Following three straight losses in the UFC, Cote made his way back in the running for a title belt by laying a beatdown on Bill Mahood this past weekend in Mahood’s home town of Prince George, B.C.

In a roundabout way, the Cote vs. Macdonald fight is a perfect showdown. Macdonald beat Doerksen by rear-naked choke but it was Doerksen who beat Cote with the same rear-naked choke at UFC 52 last April. Macdonald lost has a split record against Mahood (a chokeout win and a TKO loss) but had little trouble with Doerksen.

So what would be the smart thing to do? Mr. Pavelich should put his first title on the line at the same that Mr. Patry brings his belt to the party – winner take all.

The trickle-down effect would be very interesting. Fighters in Western Canada could build up a record and eventually chase an MFC championship while fighters from Ontario and Quebec challenge for TKO glory. The end result would be yearly (or even more regular) clashes between the promotions for the unified Canadian titles. Nothing builds up more tension and interest in Canada than East vs. West – be it politics or fighting.

Boxing’s endless array of alphabet soup titles creates nothing but confusion. But when one dominant fighter steps up and wins two, three or even four belts with one victory, the whole community takes notice and he truly becomes a world champion. In Canada, where MMA is still in its infancy relatively speaking compared to boxing and wrestling, there is little attention paid by mainstream media on one promotion and its champions.

I get the feeling that over time that will change as MMA becomes the No. 1 combat sport on a permanent basis. Having a unified heavyweight, light heavyweight or middleweight champion who stands over all the rest would greatly help the MMA makes a significant move in Canada.

And while Canadian fighters have already developed a strong following in the UFC, couldn’t more be done? Both Mr. Pavelich and Mr. Patry can get in the ear of UFC boss Dana White with little problem. With some urging, perhaps a unified Canadian champion would automatically become ranked in the UFC and guaranteed a two-fight deal.

Who knows where a unified front could lead. Maybe in the not-too-distant future, such a situation could bring more international talent to fighting in Canada and truly put the “World” in the MFC and TKO title belts. It could also certainly play a major role in bringing the UFC its next Georges St. Pierre or David Loiseau. And nobody, no matter from what part of Canada or the U.S., would mind seeing that.

At some point, there is an onus on the fighters as well. For the large part, something I like about MMA fighters over boxers is that they are much more genuine, polite and far less “thug.”

What holds some MMA fighters back, and it will certainly have to change for MMA to make the big jump in the mainstream, is their inability to coherently express themselves in interviews. Serious MMA fighters, the ones with world title aspirations, really should take some time and start to become familiar with the media and what makes a good interview and what doesn’t. If a reporter comes out, speak with honour and don’t hold back. If you have an interesting story, tell it. The human interest side of MMA fighters is often better than their in-ring histories. Those are also the stories that attract readers into buying tickets or purchasing pay-per-views.

All MMA fighters, ones in Pride and UFC included, seem to get caught up in talking solely about strategy, punching prowess, takedowns and submissions. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the general public took interest in The Ultimate Fighter reality show because it was at least 50% about the personalities and life stories, not just who could knock out who.

Until next time … keep throwing till the bell goes!