Medical doctors in British Columbia, Canada are asking for a federal ban on Mixed Martial Arts, citing that there are more brain injuries and less safety rules than boxing. Seems like yet another group has jumped on the “Hate MMA” bandwagon though you would think that this group would be smart enough to not consider MMA any more dangerous than other professional sports. Here’s the blurb, via the Montreal Gazette:
If the national group agrees to adopt the resolution, it will lobby the federal government to bring an end to MMA contests in the country.
Dr. Ian Gillespie, president of the B.C. organization, said the resolution was passed because doctors are concerned about the potential for serious injury, including brain damage.
“We know there are a number of serious injuries that can occur, including broken limbs, lacerations and brain damage,” said Gillespie.
“Recently, an MMA fighter making his professional debut in South Carolina died from a brain hemorrhage after receiving repeated blows to his head, and during an event in Vancouver, a number of MMA fighters received emergency care at Vancouver General Hospital for lacerations, fractured limbs and severe facial bruising.”
He cited a Johns Hopkins University study in 2006 that found that, since the first UFC match in 1993, the overall rate of injury in MMA has become similar to that of other combat sports, including boxing.
The study said MMA knockout rates are lower than in boxing, which suggests a reduced rate of traumatic brain injury in MMA compared to other combat sports.
However, Gillespie said the B.C. group takes the position that MMA fights are more dangerous than boxing because of fewer safety rules.
“It’s our understanding what distinguishes mixed martial arts fighting from boxing, for instance, is the use of various techniques to disable the opponent that aren’t limited to punching and the fewer of what might be called safety rules. For example, MMA allows a fighter to attack an opponent while down and we believe those things increase the risk of serious injury,” said Gillespie.
We’ll keep you up to date on this story, although MMA has a strong chance of returning to Canada as it’s a huge economic boon to whatever city hosts it. Vancouver, British Columbia has had huge problems with licensing despite a successful UFC show so expect the province to continue to keep mixed martial arts out.