CFC Blog

Hello everyone,

Here is the status of Amateur Mixed Martial Arts and Amateur Kickboxing in the Province of Manitoba.

In 2018, approximately 1700 people signed a petition addressed to the Manitoba Minister of Sport in favor of the Manitoba Combative Sports Commission (MCSC) regulating and sanctioning Amateur Mixed Martial Arts and Amateur Kickboxing in our province.

There were multiple meetings and discussions on Amateur Combat Sports between the MCSC and the Manitoba Minster of Sport’s office in late 2018 and early 2019.

On January 15, 2019, the Manitoba Minister of Sport ordered a public review of Sport Manitoba and the MCSC. The review was completed but has not been released to the public.

This is the Manitoba Governments position on Amateur Combat Sports:

From: “Benson, Michael C (SCH)” <Michael.Benson@gov.mb.ca>
Date: March 19, 2019 at 12:43:50 PM CDT
To: Giuseppe DeNatale
Cc: “Fingard, Joel (SCH)”
Subject: Amateur Combative Sports Commission

Dear Mr. DeNatale:

I am writing in response to the recent email and petition you submitted to the Honourable Cathy Cox, Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage. Your petition requesting that the Manitoba Combative Sports Commission (MCSC) regulate amateur combat sports in Manitoba was forwarded to the department’s Sport Secretariat for review and response.

Federal legislation has allowed the Manitoba government to recognize specific provincial combative sport organizations with jurisdiction and governance over their respective sports. Each of these recognized organizations have been granted the responsibility to sanction or regulate competitions or events in compliance with the legislation. At present no such organizations exist in Manitoba for amateur Kickboxing or Mixed Martial Arts.

The MCSC has the legislative authority to regulate and sanction professional combative sport competitions and athletes in Manitoba. At this time, the department’s position is that amateur combative sports are best served and represented by a provincial amateur sport organization.

If you would like more information about what is required to establish a provincial sport organization you can contact Janet McMahon, Director of Partner Funding with Sport Manitoba, at 204-926-8350 or by email at: janet.mcmahon@sportmanitoba.ca.

If you have further questions about the MCSC’s role or the legislation, I would encourage you to continue your dialogue with Joel Fingard.

Thank you for bringing your questions and concerns to the department’s attention.
Sincerely,

Mike Benson
Director, Sport Secretariat

Here are some facts about Mixed Martial Arts events in Manitoba:

Professional MMA was first regulated in our province in 2006. Pro MMA events were widely popular in Winnipeg and we had multiple events being held here yearly.

In June 2013, The UFC ran their first in Winnipeg which brought in a record setting gate at Bell MTS Place.

In September 2013, Canadian Fighting Championship ran their last event.

There were 2 other small events held in Winnipeg before The UFC came back in December 2017. That was the last Mixed Martial Arts event held in Winnipeg.

Mixed Martial Arts events in Manitoba are almost extinct:
Since the UFC first came to Winnipeg, MMA events have dwindled with only 5 events being held in 6 years. Something has be done, and many believe having an Amateur platform for young athletes to compete in Manitoba is the answer.

The MCSC is ready and willing to regulate and sanction Amateur Mixed Martial Arts immediately. We do not need a Provincial Sport Organization to regulate Amateur MMA in Manitoba. All that is needed are simple modifications to the Manitoba Combative Sports Act and Regulations.

To everyone who had signed the petition, or anyone who wants to see Amateur Mixed Martial Arts regulated in the Province of Manitoba, please let your voice be heard and RESPECTFULLY contact the Manitoba Minister of Sport: minsch@leg.gov.mb.ca, and our Premier directly at: premier@leg.gov.mb.ca

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Thank you to all who attended and made our first open house happen! Special shout out to Sergio Pettis for the fantastic MMA seminar, And thanks to Coach Duke Roufus for everything he has done for CFC Gym Winnipeg over the last 2 decades.

Bigger things happening, stay tuned everyone!

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello everyone,

Here are the details on the CFC Gym Open House, Saturday February 9, 2019 from 10am – 8pm.

CFC Kids class 10am.

Winnipeg Radio Station Power 97 will be at CFC Gym broadcasting live with host Joe Aeillo from 10am – 2pm.

Open workouts for CFC members 10am-1pm.

Yoga, Movement and Jiu-Jitsu with The Pang Brothers from 11:00am -12:30pm. Free to the general public.

Sergio Pettis MMA seminar from 2:00pm – 3:30pm.
Cost: $50 CFC Gym Members, $80 non-members.
*The MMA seminar will be private for those who are participating.

Meet and greet with Sergio at 4pm.

Refreshments will be served during the open house

Thanks you all!

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello everyone,

We are excited to have our longtime friend Sergio Pettis at CFC Gym for an MMA Seminar on Saturday February 9, 2019. Sergio is a dynamic striker, has a 17-5 record, and currently fights in the UFC. Sergio made his professional MMA debut here in Winnipeg at Canadian Fighting Championship 7 in September of 2011.

Seminar Details:
2:00pm – 3:30pm Saturday February 9, 2019.
$50 CFC Gym Members
$80 Non-members

Stay tuned for details on our open house.

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello Everyone,

CFC’s holiday hours are as follows. Open December 24, 26, 31, and January 1 from 11:00am- 1:00pm for Open Mat/ Open Gym. Closed December 25, Open December 27 & 28 regular hours. We are closed on the weekends until January 5.

Happy Holidays from all of us at CFC Gym!

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello everyone,

Just a quick note, Our daytime programming will start November 1. Please stay tuned for details.

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello everyone,

CFC is expanding its hours to include weekends. Our new operating hours as of September 10 are as follows:

Monday – Thursday 5pm-9pm
Friday 5pm-8pm
Saturday 10am-1pm

Please take a look at our class schedule here.

Our new gym address is 675 Archibald Street, please come down and see us in person during regular business hours.

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Our new location is up and running at 675 Archibald Street. Please email us at students@canadianfighting.com, or visit us during business hours for any information.

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello everyone,

Just a quick update, the new building is almost complete and we are just waiting on our occupancy permits from the City of Winnipeg. Once we have the permits we can start operations at 675 Archibald Street.

A big thanks again to all of our members for their continued patience and support during this transition!

Stay tuned to our social media pages and www.cfcgym.com for all news and update!

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello Everyone,

Here’s a FACT about Combat Sports in Manitoba:

Professional MMA and Kickboxing WAS NOT regulated in Manitoba until 2006. The First Legal, Provincially Sanctioned, Professional MMA and Kickboxing event was held in Winnipeg on April 15, 2006, with a full Amateur Kickboxing undercard. This event was sanctioned by the Manitoba Boxing Commission which is now the Manitoba Combative Sports Commission (MCSC).

Canadian Fighting Championship 7 was held in Winnipeg on September 10, 2011. The MCSC again sanctioned this Professional MMA and Kickboxing event with a full Amateur Kickboxing undercard.

These events were held prior to the amendment made in 2013 to ​Section 83 of the Canadian Criminal Code ​which defines ​Prize Fights. Any Combat Sport events held without the Province of Manitoba’s approval violates Section 83 of the Canadian Criminal code.

The MCSC has the capability of regulating, sanctioning, and officiating amateur combat sports. The Manitoba Combative Sports community must unite to make this a reality. Please take a look at the Petition letter to the Manitoba Government.

Petition Letter the Manitoba Minister of Sport

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello Everyone,

Once upon a time, Winnipeg was a hotbed for Combat Sports. Kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA promotions strived here, and the Canadian Fighting Championship was the best Combat Sports Promotion to come out of Winnipeg.

Launched on February 6 2009, CFC first promoted hybrid events, with Professional Kickboxing and MMA in a new 24 foot MMA Ring. In 2010 CFC purchased a new 30 foot Circle Cage, moved to an all MMA format, and in 2013 CFC held it’s last event.

During it’s run, Canadian Fighting Championship promoted the top Winnipeg Pro fighters, had some of the biggest live crowds in Canadian MMA, and promoted many fighters that went back and forth to UFC. CFC promoted fighters like John Makdessi, Gerald Meerschaert, and Sergio Pettis before they made it to the UFC. The production value at CFC events was at the top of the Canadian fight promotion game, and CFC always pleased the live crowd.

All professional combats sports in Manitoba, including all Kickboxing and MMA, are regulated by the Manitoba Combative Sports Commission.

Here are some of old CFC fights, enjoy!

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Find out the latest details on the the new CFC location from striking legend Duke Roufus. This new state-of-the art facility is sure to impress. Stay tuned to find out more.

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to take the time to thank UFC for coming back to Winnipeg. UFC on Fox 26 was a great night of MMA with some fantastic fights!

UFC is the world leader in Professional Combat Sports, it was a privilege to have them back in Winnipeg, and we hope they come back again soon.

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello Everyone,

We appreciate all of our members patience as we transition into our new building. We also recommend that everyone with any inquires about CFC please email us at students@canadianfighting.com for a faster and clearer response.

Keep up to date by following us on our social media pages and cfcgym.com

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello everyone,

I am very happy to tell you all that my longtime Striking coach Duke Roufus will be in town for the UFC Fight Night event this Saturday at Bell/ MTS Place.

Duke will be at CFC while he is in Winnipeg, Please stay tuned to cfcgym.com and our social media pages for info on date and time of the Duke Roufus Striking Seminar.

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello Everyone,

UFC Winnipeg is just around the corner and I am happy to say that my longtime Striking coach and friend, Duke Roufus, will be in town to corner his fighter John Makdessi. John is a talented Martial Artist from Montreal, this will be his second time fighting in Winnipeg. John fought in Winnipeg in 2010 for CFC.

Duke has been making regular trips to Winnipeg since 1997, and Canadian Fighting Center has been a Roufusport Affliate School since 2002. Duke’s world class coaching can help the skill set of any fighter. Duke also fought in Winnipeg in 2007.

I am sure that everyone in the Winnipeg combat sports community is very excited to have UFC (The biggest combat sports promotion in the World) back in our city for an event…I know I am!

Also, news on our new building, and interior pictures coming soon…

Stay tuned to cfcgym.com and our social media pages for news and updates!

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello Everyone, here are some news and updates at CFC.

Due to unforeseen scheduling issues, we will no longer be running Saturday classes. However we have added more classes to our weekly schedule:

Kids Kickboxing has an added class on  Wednesday’s at 5pm.
No-Gi BJJ has an added a class on Thursday’s at 6pm.
Kids BJJ will be resuming very soon so stay tuned for details.

Here is the new updated schedule.

Thank you all for your patience as we transition into our new building.

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello everyone,

I am very happy to announce that my long time Striking coach, friend and big brother, Duke Roufus will be at CFC in December!

With over 40 years of martial arts experience, Duke is a 4-time Professional Heavyweight KickBoxing World Champion who is regarded as one of the “most knowledgeable American’s on Muay Thai KickBoxing,” and is widely considered as one of the World’s top Striking/KickBoxing and MMA trainers.

Duke will be coaching John Makessi at  the UFC Winnipeg event on December 16. Duke will be hanging out at CFC that week, and are planning a Striking/ KickBoxing seminar, so stay tuned for more info!

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello everyone,

Here are a few reminders and updates for CFC members.

Our Kids KickBoxing program has resumed and is now offered at 5:00pm – 5:45pm on Tuesday and Thursday, and at 11:00am Saturday mornings.

We have also updated our training schedule, please take a look as Friday nights we close at 7:00pm for the time being.

All classes will be running out of Our Lady of Victory school gymnasium until our new facility is ready.

We appreciate all of our members!

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Hello everyone,

The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced that they will be returning to Winnipeg for a UFC Fight Night event. The event will be held at the Bell MTS Place on December 16, 2017, and broadcast on The Fox Network.

This will be the second time the UFC has come to Winnipeg. On June 15, 2013 UFC 161 took place at the MTS Centre and had a record setting gate.

I am sure that everyone in the Winnipeg fight community will be looking forward to this event, and hopefully the UFC returns here on a yearly basis!

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg

Here is the footage from CFC’s Friday Night Fights held June 16, 2017 in Winnipeg, Canada

View footage on youtube here.

Thank You,
Giuseppe DeNatale
CFC Gym Winnipeg