Western Australia to drop ban on cage in MMA
“The last thing we want to do is drive MMA underground. MMA is already legal and taking place across Perth at a grassroots level.”
Just as North America had the outlying New York, Australia has the outlying state of Western Australia. Back in 2013 the Liberal government enacted one of the odder prohibitions in the sport’s history – WA allows mixed martial arts bouts to take place, but only if they are in a ring. The ring is far less safe with endless cases of fighters getting injured, sometimes seriously, from falling over or between ring ropes.
James Mooney has the story for WA Today.
The State Government is paving the way for cage fighting in WA, with plans to deliver on an election promise and overturn the ban on the ‘octagon’.
The move could open to the door for the Perth Arena to host an event as early as 2018.
Lifting the ban was an election commitment from the McGowan government as Sport Minister Mick Murray announcing on Wednesday the changes would come into effect within days.
“MMA isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but we want it to take place in the safest environment possible,” said Mr. Murray. “The last thing we want to do is drive MMA underground. MMA is already legal and taking place across Perth at a grassroots level, but athletes and promoters have been left frustrated that they can’t use the standard safety equipment for their sport.”
The UFC have praised the move.
“This is a major milestone for mixed martial arts in Western Australia which will allow the sport to flourish,” said the organisation in a statement. “UFC looks forward to hosting its first live event in Western Australia for its patient and passionate local fans.
But the Australian Medical Association has blasted a move to legalise the sport, saying long-term injuries in the sport were more brutal than the sport itself.
AMA WA president Andrew Miller said ringside doctors should not encourage people to be part of a sport where the goal was to “beat your opponent unconscious,” rejecting the premier’s claim that the move would make the sport safer.
“The AMA in WA is very disappointed to see the McGowan government is driving the wrong way down the freeway of health,” he said.
Dr Miller said frequent blows to the head could cause brain bleeding leading to death, personality problems, depression and dementia.
“I would enjoy the sport myself if I didn’t know the scientific damage that was being done to young people’s brains as a result of this ridiculous past time,” he said.
Mr Murray said fighters should undergo strict health checks before and after entering the ring.
Mixed martial arts is indeed dangerous, and benefits both from not being banned by the government, and from being regulated by it, so that for example, fighters are subject to strict health checks.