West Australian Government Looking to Ban Cage Fighting From March

Just as it seemed that MMA was starting to take a step forward in Australia, MMAWeekly.com has learned that the Western Australian Government will look to pass legislation to ban the sport in a cage as of March 1, 2013.

“The cage in Western Australia will be banned starting on March 1st. K-Oz have just locked the Italian Club on Feb. 23. This show is gonna happen quick and we need a lot of support. We will focus on our approach to legislation in the coming week,” leading Western Australia promoter Grady Stewart said.

Victoria was the only state in Australia that banned the cage and with the UFC becoming more prominent in the country and with a big push behind it, it seems likely that the ban will be overturned in the near future, but today’s announcement about the cage being banned in the west of the country has left fans and officials scratching their heads.

“So the cage will be banned in West Australia from March. Damn what an ignorant decision!!! I am shattered!!! MMA will be now done in the ring,” TUF Australia participant Xavier “X Man” Lucas wrote on his Facebook page.

K-Oz Entertainment is the featured MMA show in the state. After being in operation for over 12 months, they had big plans for 2013 with an eight-man eliminator tournament scheduled and former UFC fighter Soa Palalei as their heavyweight champion, but the announcement of banning the cage could derail their plans or force them to hold their events in a ring.

Stay tuned to MMAWeekly.com for more information as the story develops.

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