Tom Wright knows the market that Calgary provides, that it also includes smaller markets like Airdrie and Cochrane, thanks to his tenure as Canadian Football League Commissioner. He is now in the limelight as Director of Canadian Relations for Ultimate Fighting Championship as they get ready to bring their first Pay-Per-View event to the Saddledome in Calgary.

Wright understands that it won't just be Calgarians at UFC 149. Their events have ripple effect outside of the big cities, with the smaller surrounding cities seeing an impact as well.

"It's a great benefit," Wright said of Airdrie and Cochrane, and their involvement with UFC 149. "When we took the UFC for the first time in Toronto back in April last year, the economic activity generated to the entire province was immense."

Vancouver had a contingent from the lower mainland for their two Pay-Per-Views to date. It's expected that people from all over Alberta, and all over the country will join residents of the host city at their event in July. Wright doesn't see this as Southern Alberta event though. The UFC has grown to a point that their events are national, and even international.

"That's why we chose where we've chosen. On a per capita basis, it's the largest and most developed market for the UFC in the world. The most developed provinces actually are Alberta and BC, so coming to Western Canada and coming to Alberta was an easy decision."

Wright says that the card that we're currently seeing is the card we're expected to see in July, with a few more spots to be filled, barring an injury during training.

You can listen to the entire interview with Mr. Wright on our blog.