World Extreme Cagefighting is hoping to conquer Canada one fight at a time and the action starts in Edmonton on Sunday.
“We’re thrilled to be coming up to Edmonton on the 20 for our first event ever in Canada,” said Tom Wright, WEC’s director of Canadian operations.
“One of the main reasons we’ve opened up an office in Canada is to continue with our efforts on getting our sport regulated in all 10 provinces across the country.
“It’s a big commitment that we’ve got and we’re working really well with federal and provincial regulators to make sure that we get our sport regulated.”
The fight in Edmonton on June 20 is just the beginning, according to Wright. The former CFL commissioner said plans are underway to bring three WEC pay-per-view events to Canada every year.
“Canadian fans coast-to-coast are incredibly dedicated, passionate, committed and very knowledgeable,” he said.
The WEC is essentially the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The UFC just held an event in Vancouver over the weekend and WEC general manager and founder Reid Harris said he’s excited to put on a great show for Edmontonians.
“If you look at the card from top to bottom it promises to be another exceptional event,” Harris said. “The WEC is known for the best fights in MMA (mixed martial arts). We constantly put together cards where the fights are well-matched and exciting and this card promises to be that way as well.”
The main event on Sunday will feature two lightweight fighters hoping for a title shot in Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus.
Two Canadians — Mark Hominick and Yves Jabouin — will battle it out in the featherweight division.
Fighters will hold open workouts at West Edmonton Mall on Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m.
