Evan Solomon

As mixed martial arts continues its march into mainstream, America’s neighbors up North are getting in on the act as well. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), a network television outlet in Canada, will air a documentary investigating the sport on May 28 in the morning on CBC News: Sunday and at night on CBC News: Sunday Night.

CBC’s Evan Solomon was at the inaugural Extreme Cage Combat (ECC) event in Halifax on April 29, and spoke with FCF regarding the project.

"We’re doing a documentary and a story on the rise of mixed martial arts in Canada," says Solomon, co-host of CBC News: Sunday, a popular weekly news program amongst Canadian viewers. For two months, Solomon and his crew followed Canadian superstars Georges St. Pierre and David Loiseau through their rigorous training regimens in Montreal, culminating with their headline fights at the UFC 58 "Canada vs. USA" event in Las Vegas.

It wasn’t enough for Solomon to focus on St. Pierre and Loiseau, but also to investigate the recent growth of MMA in Canada, which includes events such as the ECC, the first-ever MMA event in Atlantic Canada. "Why did 5500 people buy tickets to this event and only 1200 buy tickets to a boxing match here in Halifax just two weeks ago?" queries Solomon.

Solomon, whose producer trains Muay Thai and executive producer trains Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is fascinated by the growing popularity of MMA in Canada. "We are right in the middle of the hockey playoffs and we live in Canada. A lot of people would not normally miss Hockey Night in Canada (CBC’s highest rated program), but 5,500 people who would probably watch hockey are going out to watch an un-televised MMA event. I don’t know about you, but I’m a journalist and I smell a story."

AN EXPLOSIVE NIGHT OF MMA ACTION IN VICTORIAVILLE!

In the main event, Victoriaville’s heavy hitter, MARTIN DESILETS (4-0-0) will face the greatest challenge of his life! Desilets always manages to thrill the crowd with his aggressive fighting style and spectacular knockouts. He has amassed a perfect record in his young career and feels that it’s now time to take the next big step in his career. TKO has granted him his wish as a top notch International superstar, soon to be announced, will be coming to town looking to defeat Desilets in front of his home town supporters. The roars of the Victoriaville fans will be deafening as they cheer him on. Can Desilets win the big one?

CHRIS HORODECKI (4-0-0) will square off against fellow TKO sensation, SAMUEL GUILLET (3-2-0). These are two of the best, young prospects in the TKO organization! Each brings something different with them into the ring. Horodecki is best known for his striking prowess while Guillet is renowned for his heart, well rounded skills and slick submission game. However, Horodecki’s ground game should be not overlooked as it was mainly because of his superior wrestling skills that he gained his last two victories. In contrast, Guillet was stopped in his last fight against an extremely tough, Jay Estrada. Guillet took that fight on a few days notice and will surely be looking to bounce back with what would be considered a huge win over Horodecki. Fireworks and excitement are guaranteed when these two young phenoms clash!

Also on the card: The return of "The Playboy" STEPHANE DUBE (2-1-0), as he tries for another spectacular KO victory against the very tough MIKE BELL (2-2-0) of Edmonton, Alberta; The record man for the fastest knock-out in MMA history CHRIS CLEMENTS (1-1-0) will go toe-to-toe with amateur kickboxing champion MARTIN GRANDMONT (3-2-0); The huge muscular monster from Winnipeg, Manitoba KRZYSTOF SOSZYNSKI (7-5-1) is also back as he is set to take on Chicoutimi’s own SEBASTIEN GAUTHIER (1-0-0); this fantastic card also includes athletes such as FABIO HOLANDA (3-4-0), DAVE PARISEAU (3-2-0), AARON TREGEAR (3-3-0), DAVID GOULET (6-4-0) and STEVE CLAVEAU (2-5-0).

A total of ten (10) explosive bouts! Tickets ($35, $50, $100 and $200) go on sale Monday May 29th by calling the TKO ticket office at 514-998-MMA1 (6621).