OTTAWA - As if politics weren't enough of a blood sport, it turns out Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore is a big fan of ultimate fighting.

Moore revealed his passion for the rough sport Tuesday as he squired UFC welterweight champion Georges "Rush" St. Pierre around Parliament Hill for the second day.

"I'm a fan of the sport and I'm looking forward to seeing the show this week in Montreal," Moore said.

Ultimate fighting -- or mixed martial arts -- is not legal in all parts of Canada. The Ontario government of Dalton McGuinty, for instance, refuses to allow Ultimate Fighting Championships to stage events in that province.

Moore allowed that it's "not for everybody's tastes" and said it's up to provinces to decide whether to allow it. But he welcomed the fact his hometown, Vancouver, will be host to a fight next month, which sold out within 30 minutes.

"People like different sports and, you know, some people may or may not like mixed martial arts but clearly it's a sport that has vast popularity with Canadians," he said.

"And the fact that they're selling out stadiums in less than 20 and 30 minutes I think shows that Canadians like the sport and they want to see it welcomed in Canada."

St. Pierre said the legitimacy of the sport is questioned by some only because it's relatively new. He said boxing got a similarly rocky reception when it was first introduced.

Moore praised the simplicity of ultimate fighting, a sport that pits two individuals against each other in a contest of skill and endurance.

Asked who'd win in a contest between him and St. Pierre, the burly minister deadpanned: "I think that's pretty clear."

He refused to elaborate.