So ITV4 have become the first British TV channel to air ‘cage fighting’ fights, promoted by the British MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). The show will start in May of this year and will consist of two one hour shows which will feature individual cage gladiator fights.
Already The British Medical Association is calling for the sport to be banned because of its use of excessive violence.
The BMa website states:
the BMA opposes mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting and calls for a complete ban on this type of contact sport. Ultimate fighting can be extremely brutal and has been described as ‘human cockfighting’. It can cause traumatic brain injury, joint injuries and fractures.
The BMA believes that doctors cannot stand by while violent fighting tournaments are allowed to take place. Large amounts of money can be earned by participants, promoters and others linked to ultimate fighting but no amount of money can compensate for permanent brain damage and premature death.
I’d love to hear what you all think of this recent move. Is ITV showing admirable bravery and pioneering the way for this sport to become mainstream in the UK? Or do you think that cage fighting is a barbaric sport which should be banned from our TV screens?
We have started a poll on the sidebar of the site, please leave your vote there and your comments below.
