Cage fighting - skill or brutality?

But the British Medical Association has called for the American-based Ultimate Fighting Championship - featuring Ribble Valley fighter Michael Bisping - to be banned. Ben Briggs reports.

UFC's reputation as "human cock fighting" is mainly borne out of its early days.

It was launched in 1993 and for the next seven years fighters fought brutally inside a cage in special one-off tournaments where the victor would be pronounced "Ultimate Fighter".

No holds were barred, rules were few, referees could not stop fights.

It attracted the wrath of many critics and a number of events had to change venue at the last moment after stadium owners bowed to pressure and banned the UFC.

During this early period, the UFC refused to fall under the control of the regulatory state athletic commissions.

By 2000 the controversy was taking its toll and the company running the UFC was facing bankruptcy due to the difficulties in promoting and staging shows.

It was sold to a company called Zuffa in 2001 and the new owners set about transforming UFC.

Referees were given the power to stop fights, stringent rules were imposed, dozens of the more 'dirty' moves were outlawed and, perhaps most importantly, the state athletic commissions were allowed to oversee UFC events.

UFC is now a mixed-martial arts competition where fighters use skills in jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and others to show they are the best.

Soon the UFC turned to television and its popularity is such, particularly among men aged between 18 to 35, that it is threatening boxing as the number one combat sport.

In America, UFC pulls in bigger viewing figures than any sport other than American football's NFL.

Its pay-per-views are bought by up to a million people in the US, bringing in the company millions of dollars.

In addition its reality television show Ultimate Fighter, where contestants live, train and compete together in a knock-out tournament over a number of months for a UFC contract, is watched by 10 million.

But the controversy still rages.

Despite UFC becoming as regulated as boxing, it still looks brutal.

In the last pay-per-view, for example, light-heavyweight Alberto Crane fought on despite an egg-sized bruise below his eye.

And, in a fight that has become legend in UFC, Ken Shamrock went the full three rounds against Tito Ortiz, despite his facial features being obscured by a sickening combination of welts and bruising, because he did not want to quit.

It was uncomfortable viewing, but UFC commentators praised Shamrock's "pride and resiliance" in not giving up.

The British Medical Association, which has campaigned for boxing to be banned for 15 years, this week called for mixed martial arts to be banned as well.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the BMA, said: "Ultimate fighting can be extremely brutal and has been described as 'human cockfighting'. It can cause traumatic brain injury, joint injuries and fractures.

"As doctors we can not stand by while violent fighting tournaments are allowed to take place.

"Large amounts of money can be earned by participants, promoters and others linked to ultimate fighting, but no amount of money can compensate for permanent brain damage and premature death.

"As a civilised society we should be campaigning to outlaw these activities."

And the Lancashire Telegraph health columnist Dr Tom Smith added: "Any sport in which the main aim is to hit someone round the head until they are unconscious is crazy and could lead to brain damage.

"It's like the Colloseum and gladiators in Roman times, it has exactly the same instinct and it is foul that people should participate and watch it."

There is also concern that UFC fighters, as they become more popular in the mainstream, are not the right role models for children.

Nick Seaton, from parents group The Campaign for Real Education, said: "We would not promote them as good role models because there is always the chance that children could mimmick their actions and with bullying and bad behaviour already high in many schools, it could send out a bad message."

But Marshall Zelaznik, president of UFC's UK division, hit back at the critics. He said: "The BMA has never reached out to the UFC organisation to research and investigate their position but, instead, has chosen to seek publicity with this confused and confusing statement.

"The conclusion they reach that mixed martial arts can result in brain injury or serious injury is not based on evidence and is contradicted not only by the results of our own events which only occur under stringent medical testing and regulation, but also by the facts examined in a well-researched and peer-reviewed medical study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine."

Michael Bisping, who still lives in Clitheroe and went to St. Augustine's RC High School, Billington, is one of the biggest up-and-coming stars in the UFC after winning the Ultimate Fighter 3.

Ahead of his "grudge match" this weekend at London's O2 Arena against fellow Ultimate Fighter contestant Matt Hamill, Bisping launched a staunch defence of his sport.

He said: "UFC is getting bad publicity because it is new over here.

"There was a lot of criticism in the States at first too. People just don't give it a chance or watch the sport.

"But there has never been a death or serious injury in UFC. It is far safer than boxing.

"With boxing, the majority of punches are to the head. They can be down for eight seconds and then continue with the fight.

"But, with UFC there are different ways of attacking so you are not taking the concussive blows. And if a guy is knocked down he will only get one or two punches then the referee will stop the fight.

"I have been fighting since I was eight years old, I have had 15 professional fights and many amateur ones and have never had any injuries.

"I had a broken nose once but that was from a kickboxing fight."

Bisping, 6ft2in and 205lb, also defended the eight-sided cage that surrounds the ring. He said: "People say that it is brutal.

"But it is there for safety issues.

"If we fought in a wrestling ring we would fall through the ropes and could be injured, so the octagon is for the fighters' safety.

"People are quick to judge what they don't know."