THERE HAS BEEN much discussion in recent times about regulating mixed martial arts in Ireland as it becomes more popular.

The Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association (IMMAA) was set up last March. The body does not have any legal powers, but the majority of active MMA clubs have signed up.

IMMAA President John Kavanagh, coach to Conor McGregor, told TheJournal.ie the current situation means “anybody can run an MMA event on a Saturday night and they could run it to whatever standard they see fit”.

Meetings over the next few weeks will determine if regulation of MMA will come under the Irish Martial Arts Commission (IMAC) – or whether the sport will have a separate national body, something that could slow down the process. A number of politicians have criticised MMA, with Sports Minister Shane Ross labelling elements of it “quite disturbing”.

What do you think: Should MMA be officially regulated?