TORONTO — The Ultimate Fighting Championship has opened an office in Toronto and put former CFL commissioner Tom Wright in charge of growing its brand in Canada.

UFC president Dana White says Canada is "the mecca" of mixed martial arts, and the hockey-mad nation is UFC's second-biggest market outside of the U.S., accounting for roughly 17 percent of its overall business.

While Ontario continues to resist sanctioning the sport, the UFC denied opening a Toronto office was a symbolic move. UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta said Tuesday it makes sense "from a business standpoint."

The UFC has held three successful events in Montreal and is making its debut in Vancouver next month.