VERNON – It’s a beat-down for mixed martial arts aficionados in Vernon.
City council has approved a bylaw prohibiting professional bouts in Vernon.
After hearing from RCMP, councillors are concerned the events may sometimes be connected to organized crime.
There were also concerns about injury impacts to the fighters.
Only one person addressed council before the bylaw was passed.
William Mastop, a MMA fan, doubts organized crime is involved in the sport saying there’s not enough money in it.
Mastop says his comments are “something of a contrast” because the disbarred lawyer recently served jail time for releasing police information to a defunct organized crime group in Vernon called The Greeks.
Amateur or youth MMA competitions are not affected by the new bylaw.
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