Categories: Need to know

CMA takes a shot at mixed martial arts in Canada

The doctors’ group argues the sport is harmful and should be banned

by macleans.ca on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 3:56pm - 0 Comments

Delegates at the Canadian Medical Association’s annual meeting voted Wednesday to seek a government ban on mixed martial arts in Canada. Though seven provinces have now legalized mixed martial arts, the CMA is calling for a ban on the rough combat sport, saying it puts fighters at risk of serious head trauma and injuries that could have lasting effects. They also argue that unlike hockey and skiing, the intent of mixed martial arts is to incapacitate one’s opponent.

Toronto Star

true north

'' The intent of mixed martial arts is to '' incapacitate'' one's opponent.''..So would this ban apply to Boxing,Karate, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Ju Jitsu, Kick Boxing, and the list goes on and on ….In all contact sports of this type the main objective is to " incapacitate'' your opponent.
Ariadne

Somehow in the past few weeks, the CMA is all over the board, they attached their names on many issues that just lead many to ask, why now? What is going on? I will not be surprise anymore if they attached their college's association on climate change, census, fighter jets, immigration, and other political issues.
killsmith

I''ll give you 3 reasons why a ban will not happen:
1. Money
2. Money
3. Money

I respect doctors a lot for their education and inteligence, but in this case, they are way over the top. MMA is not even the most dangerous to the human body, of all the pro sports. You can debate how to rank them, but no one is arm-twisting anyone to participate; they are vorlunteers.

Federico Contreras

> but no one is arm-twisting anyone to participate

I see what you did there.

bepele

In my opinion these are not sports. When the object of the exercise is to hurt the other person it should not be allowed. These are only a refined version of the Roman gladiators, or throwing Christians to the lions. Uncivilized human behaviour.

true north

But yet ''millions'' of people watch this uncivilized behaviour every week….Weather you want to admit it or not ,..people have a morbid curiousity… My wife calls this ,a bunch of Barbarian B.S..( but i have seen her peeking at it )…make them wear better protective gear…Fights on.!!

Harvey Mushman

Doesn't the CMA have enough to do helping sort out our Health Care mess than issue political memos about sports?

What is it with this move of unions and organizations to focus on social engineering these days? The CAW, CUPE…and now it seems the CMA are morphing into political advocacy organizations more than anything else. Personally I'm kind of sick of listening to the likes of them telling us all how we should live. Stick to employment issues pertinent to your members…which is what you were formed to do in the first place.
uvray73

It is very odd that as intelligent people take a position based on such limited knowledge of the sport. The outgoing chair even said that participants "scratch"; that is completely false. The truth is that MMA is safer than college cheerleading. Save those poor girls and leave the fighters alone.
http://www.BamBamMartialArts.vom mmamaniac

I am invovled in MMA but if fans want to keep the sport alive they have to come up with better arguments than "MMA is safe". The fact is that knees to the head, ground and pount, Thai kicks to the head, etc. ARE DANGEROUS. They can totally mess someone up.

It may be that MMA is "safe enough" – I don't know. But telling our opponents that it is virtually harmless is false and is certain to fall on deaf ears.
http://www.BamBamMartialArts.com mmamaniac

I am invovled in MMA but if fans want to keep the sport alive they have to come up with better arguments than "MMA is safe". The fact is that knees to the head, ground and pount, Thai kicks to the head, etc. ARE DANGEROUS. They can totally mess someone up.

It may be that MMA is "safe enough" – I don't know. But telling our opponents that it is virtually harmless is false and is certain to fall on deaf ears.
Joe

Im conflicted – I don't think as a MD you can support this sport. But its just so great!!!!! Whatever happens just don't let the CMA watch the latest Overeem highlight.
Ariadne

Yes it not safe, but those athletes know the danger of their profession. As in any contact sports, the danger will always be there. If we legislate anything that is not safe, we will end up not allowed to do anything, which is more of a danger than those of the above. Take the top ten list of what causes Canadian mortality or even hospital admittance, I do not think mix martial arts is one of them. CMA should focus on how to deliver their services efficiently and timely instead of trying to be a Canadian Nanny.