As a journalist, I've been trained to research and learn as much as possible on the topics I'm covering.
Not only does it make me feel comfortable discussing the topic, it also helps me understand both sides of a story and develop a balanced viewpoint.
In contrast, the apparent lack of research and balanced viewpoint is exactly the problem with the recent disturbing Canadian Medical Association (CMA) recommendation to ban professional mixed martial arts (MMA) events.
The proposal to ban MMA evens, which was originally pushed forward by the British Columbia Medical Association (BCMA), was passed because doctors are concerned about the potential for serious injury in the sport, according to Dr. Ian Gillespie, BCMA president.
While there certainly is risk in the sport, I don't understand how MMA is any more dangerous than other sports out there, and a number of studies back that up.
Dirt biking, golf, softball, cheerleading and fishing are just a few of the sports with a higher death rate than MMA.
And what about all the issues with concussions in football? Or even hockey, which allows bare-fisted brawls on ice?
Why does boxing, a sport where the competitors take far more headshots than in MMA, get a free pass?
Why single out MMA?
It all boils down to a lack of knowledge and understanding for the sport.
Boxing, hockey and football are sports that have been a part of our culture and heritage for decades. MMA is relatively new, appears to be violent and is an easy target for detractors.
Gillespie himself admitted his own lack of knowledge about the sport during an appearance on CKNW in July.
He told radio host Michael Smyth he has never even watched an MMA event.
He also said the BCMA didn't even speak to anyone from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (the sport's top organization) or any other MMA promotion. Nor did they speak to athletic commissions or sports experts to get their point of view.
So how did they reach their conclusion? They saw the sport on TV, felt it was violent and instead of making an informed decision on the sport or try to make it safer, decided to just outright ban it?
What the BCMA doesn't realize, apparently, is that banning the sport will only force it to go underground.
MMA is the fastest growing sport in North American and whether it's sanctioned or not, people will have an interest in participating and watching.
Having the sport regulated can allow for medical associations to work with the UFC and other organizations to improve the safety and health of the fighters.
Banning the sport will only create further problems for the fighters and in turn for medical professionals dealing with the victims of an underground, unregulated sport.
The BCMA and the CMA should either do further research before making such bold decisions or make like a downed MMA fighter and simply tap out.
