The biggest stakes involved here aren't those in the Octagon, but outside of it. The UFC is determined to take their product global even though a compelling argument can be made one brand can't consistently deliver product at that kind of scale. The talent, globally speaking, simply isn't there. That means UFC shows aren't just inconsistent, but, at times, wildly so across all tiers. Fight Pass events can be incredible while pay-per-views turn out uninspired.
The point is this: as the UFC takes their product to all the far reaches of the planet, the Canadian market has suffered.