STRATFORD (ONTARIO) March 10th 2010 - About a year and a half ago, Stephane Patry, a pioneer of MMA promotion in Canada, former president and CEO of TKO MMA, dropped a hint at me that the wheels were in motion to create a promotion that would feature the stand up martial arts.

I expressed my excitement at the thought of this and promised him my undying support if this idea ever came to fruition. Over the course of the last year I've been asking and bothering him and wondering if it was just a dream. Well, in April 2010 this dream is becoming a reality. The organization’s name is Instinct Fighting and it will be the everyday combat sport fan's dream.

With a man like Stephane behind something, you know it is going to catch on. He has been a key player in the popularization of MMA in Canada with his promotions, as well as his TV shows. He took MMA from the underground to the Bell Centre in Montreal. Also he has been involved in the careers of just about all the truly great and recognizable MMA fighters from Canada like Georges St-Pierre, David Loiseau, Patrick Cote, Sean Pierson, Mark Hominick, Sam Stout, Jonathan Goulet and many more. His ability to take things to the top is undisputed and I can't wait to see what direction his vision will take this exciting new sport. He has also confirmed that cable television deals are in the works.

The rules are much the same as Muay Thai or the stand up portion of MMA. Punches, kicks, knees, elbows and strikes from the clinch are all allowed. Also legal will be takedowns, minus any pile driving or head spiking techniques. San Da, San Shou, and Shootboxing are all names that can be tossed around comparatively. The addition of a clinch with knees and elbows, along with the fact that contestants will be wearing Hybrid MMA gloves, separates Professional Stand-up Fighting from these other sports. As soon as a takedown happens, the fight will be stood up again. This will be a stand up fighter's sport for sure.

Many of the strikers in MMA have to hold back for fear of takedowns and the following submission or onslaught of ground and pound. The worst thing that happens if you get taken down in Professional Stand-up Fighting is you get a little behind on points. Now don't get me wrong I love MMA, and love Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but my favorite aspect of MMA is the striking, and this new sport is going to be so action packed it will make your head spin. You'll see a lot more aggression and a lot more chances taken. Get ready for the next chapter for professional combat sports, a courtesy of Canada’s #1 promoter Stephane Patry.