Freedom Fight Promoter Expounds On Post-Show Attack
Responding to several reports about the vicious attack on a group at a hotel party following the Freedom Fight show Saturday in Gatineau, Quebec, longtime MMA promoter Pete Rodley released a statement on the incident Monday evening.
In the statement sent via email, Rodley chastised the media who released reports about the attack, which allegedly involved a taser, a knife and several bottles without speaking to those present during the altercation. Calling the reports, which stated one victim had been put into a medically-induced coma exaggerated, Rodley did identify former IFL standout Claude Patrick as one of three men who were said to have been injured. Rodley asked that the Toronto native’s privacy be respected while he recovers from the injuries incurred from his inadvertent role in the incident. Pointing to the original Ottawa Sun report as the impetus of the inaccurate portrayal of the attack, Rodley said he released the statement to clear up any mistruths regarding his fighter’s involvement in the incident.
“Claude must have walked into the room as s—t was going down because he wasn’t there when these guys showed up. Claude is a great guy and I was so happy to hear that he is okay. The [Ottawa Sun] report is inaccurate and exaggerated and most people here have been in the game for a very long time and respect Claude and myself enough to not assume things and create rumours on an Internet forum,” Rodley wrote. “I have read some of [the] “reports” on this terrible act and I am disgusted at many of the assumptions that I have read in various articles.”
A pioneer in Canadian MMA promotion, Rodley who along with Stephane Patry co-founded the predecessor to the TKO promotion, the UCC says that never in his nearly ten years putting on events has he ever had a problem like this. Rodley says it is unfortunate that this group of cowardly criminals cast a shadow over the otherwise successful event and wrongly stigmatized the fighters involved.
“I have run professional MMA events for many years and have never seen any of my athletes cause any problems at all. Our sport is one of honour and respect and none of our athletes involve themselves in violent activities. No Freedom Fighters or MMA athletes who were guests at my show were the people who performed these terrible acts,” Rodley explained. “I personally have never encountered any violence or hostility before, during or after any of my events. To assume that because we are involved in a combat sport, that MMA events and athletes would do something like this is very insulting.”
Rodley admitted he was present during the attack and that there were injuries but none as extreme as are being reported. He said that all of the victims have been treated at hospital and are expected to make a full recovery.
“I was in the room and had a 6 on 1 situation and did the best I could. I don’t have any serious injuries. There were several injuries but nothing to the extent that I have read in some reports. Everyone who was attacked is fine now. One Freedom Fighter was injured but was back at the hotel later [on Sunday],” Rodley confirmed. “I’m very grateful that everyone is okay. I’ve never had anyone be so desperate that they try to rob me like that. For the record they got nothing but the jail time that is coming.”
As of time of writing, Patrick and the investigating officer, Lt. Claude Vaillancourt could not be reached for comment.
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