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BMA voice cage fighting concerns BMA voice cage fighting concerns
(about 4 hours later)
A medical expert is concerned the sport of cage fighting is sending mixed messages about violence to youngsters.A medical expert is concerned the sport of cage fighting is sending mixed messages about violence to youngsters.
Also known as mixed martial arts, it is growing in popularity across the UK.Also known as mixed martial arts, it is growing in popularity across the UK.
But Tony Calland, chairman of the British Medical Association in Wales, says its brutality poses "a serious question for us as a society".But Tony Calland, chairman of the British Medical Association in Wales, says its brutality poses "a serious question for us as a society".
But one 24-year-old fighter told BBC Wales' Week In Week Out programme that he wanted to give his three children a better standard of living.But one 24-year-old fighter told BBC Wales' Week In Week Out programme that he wanted to give his three children a better standard of living.
Cage fighting originated in the US in the early 1990s and has been described as "human cock fighting" by its critics.Cage fighting originated in the US in the early 1990s and has been described as "human cock fighting" by its critics.
It takes place between two fighters inside a caged ring with opponents allowed to use almost any form of physical force against each other, including choking the opposition in to submission.It takes place between two fighters inside a caged ring with opponents allowed to use almost any form of physical force against each other, including choking the opposition in to submission.
The only moves they are not allowed to use are ones which include eye-gouging, fish-hooking (tugging an opponent's mouth with fingers) and attacks on the genitals.The only moves they are not allowed to use are ones which include eye-gouging, fish-hooking (tugging an opponent's mouth with fingers) and attacks on the genitals.
I think society does have to ask itself some questions as to whether it should be encouraging this kind of gladiatorial behaviour in the 21st Century Tony Calland, Welsh BMAI think society does have to ask itself some questions as to whether it should be encouraging this kind of gladiatorial behaviour in the 21st Century Tony Calland, Welsh BMA
Fights are a mix of Thai boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and boxing and are increasingly being shown on cable and satellite channels in the UK.Fights are a mix of Thai boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and boxing and are increasingly being shown on cable and satellite channels in the UK.
Experts claim the sport's links to boxing is behind its increasing popularity in Wales paralleling the huge interest in professional fighting produced by the success of Welsh world champion Joe Calzaghe.Experts claim the sport's links to boxing is behind its increasing popularity in Wales paralleling the huge interest in professional fighting produced by the success of Welsh world champion Joe Calzaghe.
Calls have already been made to outlaw the sport across the UK and in Week In Week Out Dr Calland raised similar concerns about its future.Calls have already been made to outlaw the sport across the UK and in Week In Week Out Dr Calland raised similar concerns about its future.
"The concerns in cage fighting are the same as boxing, if not even more, because the prime objective is to incapacitate your opponent in one way or another," Dr Calland tells the programme in an interview."The concerns in cage fighting are the same as boxing, if not even more, because the prime objective is to incapacitate your opponent in one way or another," Dr Calland tells the programme in an interview.
"There's a serious question for us as a society when on the one hand we've got repeated examples of young people attacking other people and kicking them to death - we hear about it, tragically, far too often.Cage fighters can use almost any physical hold to beat their opponent"There's a serious question for us as a society when on the one hand we've got repeated examples of young people attacking other people and kicking them to death - we hear about it, tragically, far too often.Cage fighters can use almost any physical hold to beat their opponent
"It's very difficult to explain to these people who indulge in this kind of behaviour that they should not do it, when on the television another group of people are doing very much the same sort of thing albeit under much better regulated circumstances."It's very difficult to explain to these people who indulge in this kind of behaviour that they should not do it, when on the television another group of people are doing very much the same sort of thing albeit under much better regulated circumstances.
"But nevertheless the aggression and the primary objective of damaging your opponent is still there."But nevertheless the aggression and the primary objective of damaging your opponent is still there.
"And, therefore, I think society does have to ask itself some questions as to whether it should be encouraging this kind of gladiatorial behaviour in the 21st Century.""And, therefore, I think society does have to ask itself some questions as to whether it should be encouraging this kind of gladiatorial behaviour in the 21st Century."
The current affairs programme, called The Right to Fight, also follows one of Wales' top cage fighters and his attempts to make it as a professional on the US fighting circuit.The current affairs programme, called The Right to Fight, also follows one of Wales' top cage fighters and his attempts to make it as a professional on the US fighting circuit.
Jordan James, from Pontardawe, Swansea valley, is married with three children, runs his own plant hire business and trains six days a week.Jordan James, from Pontardawe, Swansea valley, is married with three children, runs his own plant hire business and trains six days a week.
But despite having to sacrifice almost all of this family life, the 24-year-old believes becoming a pro cage fighter will be worth it in the end.But despite having to sacrifice almost all of this family life, the 24-year-old believes becoming a pro cage fighter will be worth it in the end.
"I would like to just get to a high standard and give my kids a better life than they've got," he said."I would like to just get to a high standard and give my kids a better life than they've got," he said.
Week in Week Out: The Right to Fight, Tuesday, June 17, BBC One Wales, 2235 BST.