The UFC could be forced to find a new venue for UFC 97 due to possible MMA rules changes being considered by the the Quebec Athletic Commission.

UFC 97 is currently scheduled to take place on April 18 the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.

Tickets for the show have already gone on sale to UFC Fight Club members ahead of them going on general sale on Saturday. Tickets have sold so well already that the general public may not even get an opportunity to purchase tickets come the weekend.

But the show is at risk as a result of last weekend’s Strikebox debut show which resulted in a Quebec crowd throwing beer cans towards the cage.

In the main event of that show, which was promoted as MMA but without ground fighting, James Thompson took popular local fighter Steve Bosse to the ground which led to the crowd voicing their displeasure and hurling cans towards the fighters.

According to Sportsnet.ca, the Quebec Athletic Commission are considering implementing a requirement that a much smaller cage than the UFC’s Octagon is used, while elbow and knee strikes could be banned.

Representatives from the commission told Sportsnet that the UFC would have to follow the rules set forth by the commission if they wish to hold their show in Montreal.

Marc Ratner, the UFC’s vice president of government and regulatory affairs, is understood to be working hard behind the scenes with the QAC to try and ensure the show goes ahead as planned.

The UFC made it’s Canadian debut last April at the Bell Centre for UFC 83, with Georges St-Pierre reclaiming the welterweight title in a rematch with Matt Serra.

Phil Lowe
phil@ifight365.com