We should lift the ban on what critics dismiss as ''human cockfighting''.
Rome v Carthage, Harry Potter v Voldemort, Melbourne v Sydney - some rivalries are timeless. And as a Melburnian, I know where I'd prefer to live. But Sydney has one great thing Melbourne hasn't: mixed martial arts competitions, or so-called ''cage fighting''. Technically, this is not illegal in Victoria, but fighting in cages is outlawed. ''I have never approved and will not be approving any combat sport competitions staged in cages,'' said Sports Minister Andrew Merlino in 2007.
But the sport labelled ''human cockfighting'' by US senator John McCain was a sellout hit in Sydney. The Ultimate Fighting Championship debuted in Australia in February to the rapture of cageside fans.
As a philosopher and lover of all things noble and beautiful, I was of course enthralled by the chance of seeing grown men punching, kicking and choking one another with goodwill, passion and skill.
I'm not alone in this. Mixed martial arts isn't a fringe sport with a few scattered followers and unknown masters. It's big business that captivates large audiences and features gifted, driven athletes. It's a bona fide international sport and it has a growing following in Australia - a country that has traditionally esteemed physical prowess.
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[http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/forget-the-cheap-shots-cage-fighting-is-a-virtuous-sport-20100411-s0ot.html]
