By MIKE JOHNSTONOh Canada… why oh why is this such a difficult subject to come to terms with? Just 11 days after mixed martial arts fans in Ontario celebrated plans to legalize the sport, members of the Canadian Medical Association have thrown a wrench into the proceedings.
Recently, the president of the British Columbia Medical Association, Dr. Ian Gillespie, called for a nation-wide ban on MMA, stating: “We know there are a number of serious injuries that can occur, including broken limbs, lacerations and brain damage."
Gillespie brought this issue to the CMA’s annual meeting where delegates voted on whether or not to ban MMA. Those in favor of the ban insist it puts fighters at risk of severe head trauma and other injuries that could have lifelong effects.
Currently there are seven Canadian provinces that sanction MMA, following Ontario’s change of heart. There is no word, currently, how this CMA vote will affect the legalization of MMA in the province of Ontario and across the country.
Supporters of MMA argue the sport is not as dangerous as other contact sports, such as boxing, football, hockey, even cheerleading. Yes, statistically, cheerleading has more serious injuries than MMA.
“I think football is barbaric,” said Robin Black, professional mixed martial artist and Canadian TV personality. “If a 350-pound man runs at me as fast as he can and drives his helmet into my spine, that’s a lot more violent than anything that’s ever going to happen in MMA.”
“When the average person sees a man punch another man in the face, experience has taught us that that is an angry, violent thing," said Black. “But when two trained athletes are competing, there’s no anger in it, they’re just competing.”
A 2006 study at Johns Hopkins University found that the overall rate of injury in MMA, since 1993, is no more serious than that of other combat sports, including boxing. However, the study also showed MMA knockout rates are in fact lower than in boxing, which suggests a reduced rate of traumatic brain injury in MMA compared to other combat sports.
The UFC’s Director of Canadian Operations, Tom Wright, said that they are willing to work with the medical associations “to provide our perspective, to provide our data, to provide our facts so that individuals are making informed decisions.”
The UFC’s next show takes place on Saturday August 28, as it ventures to Boston for the first time. At this time, it is unclear when the organization’s next show in Canada will be.
For more info on the UFC visit ufc.com.
I think Canadian laws are messed up, who knows what will happen but I am sure the UFC will get a show in Toronto
ReplyDeleteDo you guys think this will have an effect on Ontario?
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