Mixed Martial Arts now allowed in Vernon

Mar 26, 2019 | 3:21 PM

Mixed Martial Arts matches are now allowed in the city of Vernon.

Council voted to rescind the bylaw put in place at Monday’s council meeting.

Council has voted to recind the mixed martial arts bylaw put in place in 2014 which bans the sport from taking place in the city #vernonbc #mma

— Tiffany Goodwein (@CityNewsTiffany) March 25, 2019

The bylaw was implemented in 2014 after concerns were raised about safety and the connection to organized crime.

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Council received feedback from the RCMP who said they don’t have any concerns about the sport attracting gangs to the area.

“As the Detachment Commander, I do not have any issue with the events specifically bringing organized crime into the city. As with any event that serves alcohol I would be more concerned with the behaviour of individuals within the audience attempting to emulate what they observed during and after the event. This would be mitigated by ensuring enough police officers are in attendance and specifically assigned to the policing of the event and immediate area, ” said Supt. Shawna Baher in a letter to the city.

The motion to rescind the bylaw was brought forward by Coun. Kelly Fehr who argued that the sport has come a long way since then.

Professional MMA sports are regulated by the B.C Athletic Commissioner to ensure safe play.