By Liam Ducey
The head of a Brisbane-based Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promoter says he is committed to developing the sport in Western Australia despite it being the only Australian state with a total ban on fighting inside a safety cage.
Ahead of Eternal 21, a fight card taking place at Perth's Italian Club, Eternal MMA boss Cam O'Neill – also the promoter of World Series Of Fighting Global Championship in Australia – had harsh words for Western Australian premier Colin Barnett.
There will be no caged fence for MMA fighters in Western Australia.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
While the vast majority of MMA promotions in the world use a fenced enclosure to ensure fighter safety, the Western Australian Combat Commission went against its own recommendation and banned its use in 2013 at the prompting of the premier.
The Liberal state government has consistently maintained the ban on the fenced enclosure is in the best interests of the community, and since the ban, Mixed Martial Arts in WA has suffered.
Without a cage, MMA fighters run the risk of being thrown through the ropes.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
While MMA gyms are flourishing, most Western Australian promoters are shutting up shop and their best fighters seeking opportunities in the eastern states.
O'Neill has recognised this, and he believes the best way he can help, despite the cost, is to do what he was born to do – put on quality cards in defiance of the clear intent to kill the sport.
"Why should WA fighters suffer due to the ignorance and ineptitude of an egotistical premier?" he asked.
"WA is home to some of the very best and hungriest fighters in the country representing burgeoning MMA gyms across Perth and beyond.
"The support for the shows in Perth has been incredible, we are just happy we can provide WA fighters with a platform to follow their MMA journey and hopefully some will make careers of it in the big show outside of Australia where they will be treated as they deserve, as proper, serious athletes."
Fighters at risk of being thrown through the ropes
The problem, at least from O'Neill's point of view, is that with the cage ban in place, Eternal are forced to use a boxing ring and run the risk of a fighter being thrown through the ropes.
It has happened before at other MMA cards since the ban and O'Neill said he had no choice but to take on that risk.
"We currently have no option but to toe the line in regards to using the ring rather than the fenced safety enclosure.
"As a collective everyone at Eternal is extremely frustrated with the stupidity of the cage ban and reluctance from the Premier to look at the merits of the fenced enclosure rather than rely on his perception of two men fighting in a cage as barbaric.
"His decision is ego driven and ignorant."
Saturday night's fight card, featuring a main event match-up between Perth fighters David Jenkins and Jed Bolton, is the third Eternal MMA card to be held in Perth, and O'Neill says the promotion has plans on expanding in 2017.
"Eternal is now up to its 21st event from thee cities in two states.
"We had our first show in September 2012 at Southport Sharks Club in Queensland before travelling around different venues in south-east Queensland before settling back at Southport Sharks and making the venue home to Eternal MMA in south-east Queensland in July of this year.
"We have plans in 2017 to extend into 2 more states in Australia and planning for these shows is already well underway…our goal is to prove we're the most progressive and forward thinking promotion in Australia."