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Patry Exits TKO, Dec. 5 Event In Question

TKO president Stephane Patry told Sherdog.com on Thursday that he tendered his resignation from the popular Quebec promotion this week and that effective Nov. 15, he will no longer be a part of the organization.

Christened as UCC in 2000 and renamed in 2003, TKO is Canada’s longest running MMA promotion. With 46 events held to date, TKO is responsible for launching the careers of UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, Patrick Cote, David Loiseau and Jonathan Goulet, among others. Patry said that he’s been thinking about leaving the organization for several months.

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“I’ve been involved with building TKO and promoting the sport here in Canada for over nine years, and I think it was the right time for me to step down,” Patry said.

Patry said that partner Gerry Bonneau was shocked when he heard the news. However, Bonneau told Sherdog.com Friday that he sold his interest in TKO several months ago, but would not reveal the new owners. Bonneau would not comment on Patry’s exit.

TKO is scheduled to hold its next event on Dec. 5 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Daniele Gagnon, assistant to the director of the Quebec Boxing Commission, told Sherdog.com Friday that as far as she knew, the show hadn’t been officially cancelled.

A representative for the Bell Centre’s public relations department also confirmed that the date is still reserved and that a member of the Gillett Entertainment Group will meet with TKO reps shortly. For now, the representative said it was “business as usual,” though he said he was unaware of any ownership shift or who the venue would be meeting with.

Just who will be handling TKO’s business in the future seems unclear.

“As of right now I don’t really know what’s going to happen,” Patry told Sherdog.com. “My resignation is effective on Nov. 15 and I’m sure by then there’s going to be some announcement made by whoever will handle TKO.”

Patry said he’s received many offers to work with other MMA promotions, but for now he’s going to concentrate on promoting his stable of fighters, as well as his work as a TV host.

Patry, who once managed UFC welterweight champion George St. Pierre, currently helms the careers of recent UFC middleweight contender Patrick Cote and Canadian hockey league enforcer Steve Bosse, as well as local draws Thierry Quenneville, Stephane Vigneault, Sean Pierson, Derek Gauthier, and Bob Landry.

He is also the host of two television shows: “Mixed Martial Arts” on RDS and “Knockouts” on TQS.

“Ultimately it’s my decision and obviously I’m a little sad because it was my baby, but at the same time I think I did what was right for me and I’m very happy and comfortable with my decision,” said Patry. “Hopefully there’s a future without me and I wish TKO the best. It’s been my baby and I started it all and put my heart and soul into it and hopefully things go well.”

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