By ANEEKA SIMONIS
FIGHTING champion Ronda Rousey was not the only one left disappointed with last weekend’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event, with Bass MP Brian Paynter condemning the “brutal sport” as encouraging violence in the community.
Days before Melbourne staged its first legally sanctioned UFC cage fight, Mr Paynter ripped into the State Government for lifting the ban on cage fighting while still taking a hard line on violent perpetrators – including domestic abusers and street violence offenders.
He linked organised fighting events such as UFC to a rise in street violence, including one-punch killings and serious assaults on Melbourne streets before suggesting the Andrews government should be “ashamed” for their “irresponsible” decision to allow cage fighting.
Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson bit back at Mr Paynter, accusing him cooking up a “sensationalist rant” devoid of facts or evidence to suggest links between the sport and family or street violence rates.
Mr Richardson asked the Bass MP to return to the chamber to clarify his “offensive” comments, however Mr Paynter said he stands by his statements made in Parliament on Tuesday 10 November.
Mr Paynter’s office told the Gazette he refuses to retract or clarify his statement, citing his role as a White Ribbon Ambassador campaigning against family violence in the community.
His statement was echoed by Shadow Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Georgie Crozier who stepped into the Legislative Assembly debate, reading a letter on behalf of Alannah and Madeline Foundation Co-founder Dr Phil West.
The open letter, addressed to Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos, outline concerns around children being able to attend the “brutal and bloody” cage fighting match.
Ms Mikakos threw down the comments, stating children have always been able to attend mixed martial arts event – the only difference being this fight occurred within a closed perimeter.
She suggested parents are to take responsibility for their children rather than introducing government bans to sporting events such as mixed martial arts competitions.
However, the issue of cage fighting continues to divide the community.
Former Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay last year announced his support of the ban, suggesting legalisation of the sport would glamorise extreme violence in the community.
