Rules And Guidelines Needed For MMA To Continue In Ireland

The sport of Mixed Martial Arts needs rules and guidelines if it is to continue in Ireland, Fine Gael Senator Catherine Noone has said.

Senator Noone made the comments following the death of Portuguese athlete Joao Carvalho.

"For some time now I've been concerned about the violence surrounding MMA and the lack of rules and regulations governing this high-risk sport," Senator Noone said.

"The death of Portuguese mixed martial arts fighter Joao Carvalho after a fight in Dublin on Saturday night, highlights the real dangers of this extreme sport and the need for regulation.

"I was pleased to hear Sport Ireland CEO John Treacy say that Mixed Martial Arts has no place in the country unless the sport implements rules and guidelines that Sport Ireland are going to bring forward.

"I fully support his views and hope that these regulatory guidelines and codes of practice are produced as soon as possible and strictly followed by the sport. If this happens I would hope that any future serious injury or death could be avoided."

(MH/JP)