UFC Fighter Ivan Menjivar to Run for Public Office in Quebec

UFC bantamweight and longtime MMA veteran Ivan Menjivar announced today that he intends to run for public office in Quebec.� The 30-year-old Menjivar, who was born in El Salvador but has resided in Canada for most of his life, will be seeking a legislative position with the National Assembly of Quebec, under the "Parti de la Classe Moyenne du Quebec" (translation: Party of the Middle Class of Quebec, or PCMQ) in the Anjou-Louis-Riel district.

Said Menjivar via Twitter:

Je suis fier de porte ma candidature pour la circonscription Anjou-Louis-Riel.� Comme member du Parti de la Classe Moyenne du Quebec! �(Loose translation: "I am proud to carry the nomination for the Anjou-Louis-Riel district as a member of the Party of the Middle Class of Quebec!")

� touts mes amis facebookys s.v.p passe le mots: je suis candidat pour le PCMQ pour Anjou-Louis-Riel merci.� (Loose translation: "To all my Facebookys please pass the word: I am a candidate for the PCMQ for Anjou-Louis-Riel.� Thanks.")

Menjivar further stated that his platform includes addressing the war on corruption and the ethics of political parties, as well as the improvement of the health care system and access to a family doctor.

A brown belt in jiu-jitsu and member of the famed Tristar Gym in Montreal, Menjivar has long been known as a competitor who is unafraid of facing tough challenges, and can count among his past opponents such MMA stars as UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre, former UFC featherweight champ Urijah Faber, and former UFC welterweight champ Matt Serra.� Menjivar made his UFC debut at UFC 48, which took place on June 19, 2004.� Since returning to the Octagon after a nearly seven-year hiatus, Menjivar has won four out of five fights.�

Menjivar is not the first accomplished mixed martial artist to run for office.� Other notable pugilistic politicians include: top middleweight contender Chael Sonnen, who ran for a position in the Oregon State Legislature; former top middleweight contender Matt Lindland, who also sought a position in the Oregon State Legislature; and retired UFC welterweight Chris Lytle, who ran in the Indiana State Senate race.� None were successful.

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