Legalising MMA is a good thing, writes Clinton Gale.
On Sunday February 21st this year Sydney hosted Australia’s first ever visit from American based institution Ultimate Fighting Championship, commonly known as the UFC. Drawing an attendance of 17,831, tickets for the Acer Arena’s show sold out within an hour, making it the second fastest sell out time for a UFC event. The sport known as mixed martial arts (or MMA) is sweeping the world in popularity. UFC President Dana White stated he wishes to bring the event to Australia annually after the highly successful Sydney event, but due to current state regulations Melbourne is unable to host the UFC.
To a first time viewer of the sport it may look like a no holds barred, anything goes style of street fight but it actually involves many fighting styles such as boxing, muay thai (kickboxing style from Thailand), wrestling and Brazilian jiu jitsu, just to name a few. And there are over 30 ways for an opponent to commit fouls, for example: strikes to the groin, head kicks to a grounded opponent and heel kicks to the kidney. The referee will also stop the fight if one of the contestants is bleeding excessively.
Once a more comprehensive analysis is done on the sport rather than reactionary assumptions, it is not unreasonable to ask that the ban on cages be lifted so that Melbourne, Australia’s sporting capital, can host a UFC event in the future. Apart from the obvious economical benefits it would bring to the state it may also (like an invisible hand) guide young males into the gym to learn a martial art which provides them with the physical and mental discipline, which in turn boosts their self esteem and could possibly address the knife carrying epidemic the city is currently facing. Do a web search and you’ll find many gyms in your area already providing MMA training but in your neighbourhood you’re not seeing people getting choked out or tied up in wrestling holds. I’d say the naysayers are running out of ammunition.
Admittedly this is a violent and often bloody sport which is not to everyone’s taste. But no one is forcing you to watch it just as no one is forcing me to watch Better Homes and Gardens. This is yet another prime example of the Victorian state government’s failure to grasp an issue to its fundamental premise and just spin off some feel good policy for face value instead.
Clinton Gale is a former Liberal Democratic Party candidate and is involved in the Victorian branch of the LDP.
I agree Clinton.
People need to do more research and understand the topic before reacting rashly like Mr Merlino.
Posted by: Anna | March 1, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Too right! The big problem is that by making it illegal you push it underground. As soon as that happens, it then becomes increasingly dangerous.
Posted by: Rog | March 1, 2010 at 02:24 PM
When you ban something like this, it becomes more attractive to people. It's like drugs - you ban them, so people take them because it's a bit taboo.
I think politicians that are behind these regulations need to realise that it isn't like Fight Club, and that the cage actually protects the fighters (and also looks pretty cool).
Brumby and his mates need to pull their heads out of the sand and stop trying to look tough. By being ill-informed on this and banning it they simply appear as out of touch with the rest of society.
Posted by: Jamie | March 1, 2010 at 02:27 PM
G,day
Good to see someone who appreciates blood sports. You need to go into parliament.
ta
Ralph
Posted by: Ralph Buttigieg | March 1, 2010 at 09:01 PM
The only obvious economic benefit is that people who like cage fights will now be able to watch them and people who like to provide this spectacle will be able to provide it. The notion that there are broader economic benefits are in my view somewhat suspect.
p.s. They're not my cup of tea but I've got nothing against removing any ban on cage fights.
Posted by: TerjeP (say tay-a) | March 1, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Here's the thing :John Brumby couldn't give a toss about cage fighting, just as he doesn't give a toss about the knife crime and violence plaguing our streets.
Positive spin is what he does best, and we as mma fans will be painted as pro violence nuts for wanting the cage over the ring, just as the stabbings and fights are spun as minor and not on the rise.
My brother was jumped by 15 guys the other night, who, after beating him for the 50 bucks in his wallet, told him to piss off and made him limp away as opposed to fleeing themselves. He went to the police, they shrugged, said "we're understaffed", handed him a CV notice and didn't arrest the people who were still loitering 500 meters up the street.
If John Brumby doesn't care about our violence problems, i doubt something as trivial in his eyes as a cage v ring rates high on his agenda.
I'm a huge mma fan, but our state is going down the toilet, and the man appointed to oversee it has his head in the sand.
Posted by: Nate | March 2, 2010 at 03:43 AM
I agree Clinton. Mixed Martial Arts are misunderstood. Our train stations would be so boring without them. As a supporter of slam therapy, I believe they are a healthy form of expression.
Posted by: Ben | March 2, 2010 at 11:10 AM
I think the UFC needs all of the support it can get. It has had to soften up lately with rounds etc due to meddling politicians. I know there is an element of entertainment and drama but I yearn for the good old days of very few rules combined with the superb martial artists and conditioned athleticism we see today.
No politician should stand in the way of two very tough consenting adults pummelling the crap out of each other in a controlled environment.
They have absolutely no interest in this except for to garner votes from moral panicking do-gooders.
"Do a web search and you’ll find many gyms in your area already providing MMA training but in your neighbourhood you’re not seeing people getting choked out or tied up in wrestling holds."
In the tougher gyms and dojos you will see this. You will also see a controlled environment and a lot more respect than you will ever see in Parliament.
This issue is above the pay grade of most Parliamentarians and they should just keep their noses out of this.
"In relation to safety it’s also worth noting that MMA fighters suffer less head trauma than boxers."
The British Medical Association have also found that bare knuckle boxing has less head trauma as the value of body blows or attacking a limb increases when the gloves come off, and except for heavyweights, very few boxers have the power or skill to convincingly win without hard, repetitive trauma to the head - body blows can mean very little with gloves and conditioned athletes. The UFC of course has submission holds which lessen the head trauma.
Posted by: Semi Regular Libertarian | March 3, 2010 at 02:32 PM
I'm not sure if it's getting pushed under ground in Victoria. What is happening is our talent is moving up to NSW.
Posted by: Clinton Gale | March 11, 2010 at 03:42 PM
I believe breaking fights up into rounds and some of the extra regulation has helped the commercial success of the UFC. The people want fast hard hitting action rather than a skilled grappling ground game.
Posted by: Clinton Gale | March 11, 2010 at 03:47 PM
You're absolutely right - I'm in a niche market segment!
I still reckon the higher standard of athleticism now under the old rules would be highly entertaining, at least as instructive for martial artists.
Posted by: Semi Regular Libnertarian | March 11, 2010 at 04:41 PM
I appreciate clinton for his sincere efforts and dedication towards MMA..
Keep up the good work
Posted by: Caroline | April 17, 2010 at 09:40 PM