Harcourt’s Cody Purtell says he wants to put Haliburton County on the map as one of Ontario’s leading destinations for mixed martial arts (MMA).
The former professional fighter is bringing his Cottage Country Combat League promotion to Haliburton May 2, taking over A.J. LaRue Arena. The event will feature eight to 12 amateur MMA fights, all taking place inside a caged octagon.
“This is going to be my very first event,” Purtell told The Highlander. “Ontario only legalized amateur MMA events last year, so I’ve been planning this ever since. I’m hoping to draw out a big crowd. If this is a success, I want to bring an event to Haliburton at least once a year.”
Purtell, known as ‘The Constrictor’ on the pro circuit, fought six times between 2016 and 2018 – winning once and losing five bouts. He’s now using his years of experience to train the next generation out of his Bancroft Boxing and Grappling gym.
Opening last summer, the gym has about 90 members, with Purtell teaching boxing, kickboxing, freestyle wrestling and jiu-jitsu.
Originally, he wanted to host this first event in Bancroft – but renovations to the North Hastings Community Centre scuppered those plans. Living locally, Purtell said he pivoted quickly to Haliburton. Dysart et al council signed off on hosting the event in town last month.
“My goal is to bring a professionally-run, fully-regulated sporting event to Haliburton now every May. If this goes well, we’ll do this a couple of times a year. There are athletes all over who want to compete,” Purtell said. “I’m trying to make this one of the best amateur events in Ontario. I want this to be something that people will travel to Haliburton for.”
He anticipates between 40-80 fighters, trainers and crew pitching up in town for the weekend with a crowd of 800 to 1,000 in the stands. Purtell said the event could generate up to $80,000 for the local economy.
Tickets are on sale now, with three options – VIP tables around the ring, single VIP seating and general admission. Purtell said the event is sanctioned by the Ontario Athletic Commission, with professional security, medical personnel and licensed officials already secured. He said the matches will also be livestreamed online.
While the card has yet to be announced, Purtell said there will be fighters from all over the province participating. He noted an amateur champion fighting out of Big Country MMA in Lindsay will be on the show. He’s also hoping to have at least one fighter from Haliburton involved.
The main part of the card will feature adults, but Purtell said he also wants to showcase some of the young up-andcoming talent he’s been training too. One of those, aged 12, turned heads by winning gold at the recent Durham Classic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu event in Oshawa in February.
“There will be some grappling matches showcasing younger talent – just to show that this is open to people of all ages,” Purtell said. “There are benefits for younger kids getting trained in boxing and MMA. It teaches respect and helps bring confidence levels up. It also gives kids a safe place to go, where they can express themselves.”
Following the success of his Bancroft gym, Purtell said he hopes to expand into Haliburton in the future.
Tickets for this event can be purchased online on Eventbrite. For more information, contact Purtell at 705-760-0938.
