Stephane Patry — the founder of Canada’s original and most successful professional mixed martial arts organization — has resigned his position as president of TKO Championship Fighting.

Patry was instrumental in bringing 44 shows to the Montreal region under the banner. However, according to a report on Sportsnet.ca, the Montreal native has decided to call it quits and will pursue new challenges.

Here’s a snip:

“I’ve been involved in promoting a sport and producing shows for close to nine years…it was a good time for me to step down. I think I accomplished a lot of things in and for the sport. I decided I want to focus on other things.”

TKO is renowned for grooming the careers of stars such as UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre,  recent number one UFC middleweight contender Patrick Cote, Mark Hominick, David Loiseau and Sam Stout, among others.

Patry will continue to manage a stable of approximately seven professional fighters, which includes Cote.

Here is what he had to say about continuing with this side of the business:

“I will stay involved with the sport as a manager and also continue my work in television as a TV analyst.”

No replacement has yet been named and TKO’s December 5 show has subsequently been cancelled.