B.C. doctors call for Canada-wide ban on mixed martial arts

[-relk-]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/do...074/story.html

The organization that represents MDs in British Columbia is urging its counterparts from across the country to call on the federal government to ban mixed martial arts — a cage-fighting phenomenon that is increasingly being hosted in Canadian cities.

Last month, the B.C. Medical Association held a caucus meeting and passed a resolution stating it wants the full-contact sport banned in Canada.

As far as i know there haven't been very many deaths at all. I would be very disappointed if this actually happened, and i don't watch UFC fights very much.

[CUG]

People saying it's "the same as football" are dead wrong (excuse the pun)

Localized, intentional and repeated blows to the head with a knee, leg, or fist is not the same as football in any sense. It's closer to boxing, but boxers have pretty big gloves on (by comparison).

The long term effects of this is unknown, but if football players and boxers are turning into 40 year old toddlers, what do you think is going to happen to these guys?

They have a valid concern, but I don't agree with banning the sport. The fighters should be aware of this and agree to it getting in the ring.

[slinkie]

Am i against UFC and other "professional level" organizations coming to canadian cities and generating revenue? No.

Do i as a taxpayer want to pay for a bunch of kids' drunken "mma" injuries? no.

[Mibz]

Ban smoking first.

[bspot]

I'm all for it... but I thought it was unconstitutional to make being gay illegal?

[CapnCrunch]

They should ban fat people.

Seriously, no health care if your 'x lbs' overweight.

[CUG]

Originally posted by bspot
I'm all for it... but I thought it was unconstitutional to make being gay illegal?

[e31]

"a number of MMA fighters received emergency care at Vancouver General Hospital for lacerations, fractured limbs and severe facial bruising."

Yeah, so what. How many drunk hobos do you think ER's across the nation see every day with the same injuries.

[thetransporter]

Originally posted by Mibz
Ban smoking first.

and alocohol?

[RUQUIKR]

I think we should also ban living as it has been proven to lead to death. There is no factual info to support this ban.

[1barA4]

Originally posted by RUQUIKR
I think we should also ban living as it has been proven to lead to death. There is no factual info to support this ban.

Exactly.

Being born has thus far has resulted in 100% fatality and must be outlawed!

MMA has a lower incidence of serious injury and fatality than:

• Football
• Cheerleading
• Boxing
• Bingo (you know, old folks, the shock of winning, etc.)

[DayGlow]

Originally posted by CUG
People saying it's "the same as football" are dead wrong (excuse the pun)

Localized, intentional and repeated blows to the head with a knee, leg, or fist is not the same as football in any sense. It's closer to boxing, but boxers have pretty big gloves on (by comparison).

The long term effects of this is unknown, but if football players and boxers are turning into 40 year old toddlers, what do you think is going to happen to these guys?

They have a valid concern, but I don't agree with banning the sport. The fighters should be aware of this and agree to it getting in the ring.

and because of those heavy gloves boxers take hundreds of blows to the head every match. MMA on the other hand only a couple good hits to the head result in a knockout.

The collective damage done by boxing is a lot higher.

[CUG]

Originally posted by DayGlow


and because of those heavy gloves boxers take hundreds of blows to the head every match. MMA on the other hand only a couple good hits to the head result in a knockout.

The collective damage done by boxing is a lot higher.

Yeah, good point. That would be a good study, 3 rounds of nearly bare-fist versus 12 rounds of gloves and the neurological impacts of both.

[510-Trevor]

Originally posted by CUG
People saying it's "the same as football" are dead wrong (excuse the pun) ...

It's closer to boxing, but boxers have pretty big gloves on (by comparison). ...

[Mibz]

Originally posted by thetransporter


and alocohol?

Absolutely. Anything that we have a choice to enjoy despite understanding the health risks falls under the same blanket that these guys are using.

[GoChris]

The problem with boxing, is you can get knocked out (concussion perhaps), get up, and keep fighting. That results in brain damage.

In MMA, you get knocked out, you are done and get to properly recover.

Boxing is worse.

[CUG]

Originally posted by 510-Trevor


youtube]T14[/youtube]

Ok, what about the knees? or getting dropped on your head from 6' plus?

Boxing is worse.

See above.

[Modelexis]

B.C. doctors should have some pride and call out the real culprit, which is a system that distributes wealth to people that are sick or injured.

They should call to have people pay for their own healthcare, that way fighters would actually have to consider the costs that come with fighting.

The worst thing you can do is blame the fighters, you need to look at what is really to blame, and that is the violent distribution of wealth.

[sexualbanana]

Originally posted by DayGlow


and because of those heavy gloves boxers take hundreds of blows to the head every match. MMA on the other hand only a couple good hits to the head result in a knockout.

The collective damage done by boxing is a lot higher.

People who are pro-MMA usually state that because of the multi-disciplinary aspect of MMA (hence, 'mixed') there are more targets and more ways to victory. Which I'm inclined to agree with.

In boxing you have, if simply broken down, two targets and three ways to victory:
1) Knock your opponent down/out with a head shot
2) Knock your opponent down/out with a body shot
3) Decision

Advocates of MMA say there are more targets and more ways to victory, thus the collective damage to one particular area can be lower. With the addition of submissions and ground game, the methods of victory have now multiplied to, off the top of my head, at least 6 different ways to win of which only two involve violent head trauma (not counting submissions like rear naked chokes and etc).

[sexualbanana]

Originally posted by CUG
Ok, what about the knees? or getting dropped on your head from 6' plus?

See above.

Drops on the crown of the head are illegal. Plus, that's no different than professional wrestling or in certain cases of football and hockey.

Knees to the head are only legal on an opponent who's points of contact on the ground are more than just his feet, because a standing opponent is more capable of defending themselves against a knee than if they were on the ground.