Canada wants MMA banned....

[~gymdiva~]

STORY LINK

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario -- The Canadian Medical Association is calling for a ban on mixed martial arts in Canada.

Delegates at the annual meeting voted Wednesday to have the doctors group seek a government ban on the sport.

The vote came after often contentious debate among 250 doctors at the meeting in Niagara Falls.

Those in favor of banning the sport say it puts fighters at risk of severe head trauma and other injuries that could have lifelong effects.

They argue that unlike sports such as hockey and skiing, the intent of mixed martial arts is to incapacitate one's opponent.

Seven provinces in Canada sanction mixed martial arts prize fighting. The Ontario government recently changed its stance and will allow mixed martial arts in 2011.


Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

[stephaniewicked]

Must spread the rep, etc... thanks for posting, mama!!

MMA is beginning to branch out all over the world and UFC has made great strides to hold bouts in Europe, the Middle East, Australia... and now Canada wants to take a step backwards? I hope it doesn't pass. Clearly they aren't considering all the revenue they would be missing out on. The benefits far out-weigh the risks, in my opinion.

[Gaoshang Xiongshou]

If it happens, expect a massive influx of Canadians to America to continue to pursue their MMA endeavors.

[cook]

Canadians

[tiramisu]

I think this actually kind of funny as Boxing, Football and Fresh Water Fishing are a fair bit more dangerous.

[Hit-Girl]

Ass backwards it seems.

[MacFlashGordon]

Hmm it's certainly getting exposure. Only last night it was on the TV here. Quite a good watch frankly. I understand the reason the point is raised by the medical folk but surely insurance can cover such activities to buffer any 'cost' implications? That's how it works for most other risky sporting pursuits. It's not like the official MMA bouts are hidden after all so this isn't like some underground affair.

[stephaniewicked]

If it happens, expect a massive influx of Canadians to America to continue to pursue their MMA endeavors.

That's what I was thinking... the fighters will just cross the border and continue to fight, so what are they solving? The "violence" and "danger" will simply move to another geographical location... not disappear.

[MacFlashGordon]

Don't they cross the border anyway? I mean the big stage is in the US regardless of where folk are from right? Unless you mean just to participate in small comps? Surely the banning only applies to the competition side rather than the training?

[s2h]

I think this actually kind of funny as Boxing, Football and Fresh Water Fishing are a fair bit more dangerous.

fishing???not to sure how you get head trauma fishing....

[tiramisu]

fishing???not to sure how you get head trauma fishing....

It's called drowning and the number of deaths in fresh water fishing are far larger than those of boxing, mma and football combined.

[~gymdiva~]

Must spread the rep, etc... thanks for posting, mama!!

I saw it on ESPN's twitter

[antonbrn]

It's not just and sport of hitting and smashing. It also involves thinking and training.

[bulldog08]

MMA fighters experience FAR FAR FAR less head trauma than Boxers. Boxing is insanely more dangerous.

[Timbo89]

thats jsut the canadian medical association, not the government... and not canada. No one listens to them anyway lol.