Sunrise reported earlier this morning that State Opposition Leader Mark McGowan has thrown his support behind the lifting of the cage ban in Western Australia.
WA is currently the only state in Australia that has a cage ban despite MMA being legalised with competition being held inside a boxing ring. McGowan has admitted that despite being previously supportive of the current Government’s stance he believes that safety for the fighters should be paramount and that can only be achieved through a caged enclosure.
Further to the primary motivation for competitor’s safety, Mr McGowan conceded that the economic and tourism benefits were also attractive given the enormous boost Melbourne received having played host to the record-breaking UFC 193 last November which was headlined by Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm.
“Overturning the ban would have a positive effect on tourism and the economy if Perth could secure international MMA events but safety is the main concern,” Mr McGowan said.
Despite receiving advice from the Government’s own combat sports commission Premier Colin Barnett has remained steadfast in his refusal to lift the cage ban.
FNA spoke to Tom Wright – Executive Vice President and General Manager for UFC Operations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand – earlier in the year who noted that a change in Government in WA was the only likely scenario for a change in policy. With a March election looming we may just be closer than ever to realising it.
