Shane Ross accuses Irish MMA leaders of “deliberately dragging their feet” over safety concerns

"Today I call on the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association (IMMAA) to do the right thing."

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, has accused leading figures in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Ireland of “deliberately dragging their feet” on the establishment of appropriate governance and safety standards in the sport. Ross’ comments come in the wake of the coroner delivering a verdict of a death by misadventure in the case of Joao Carvalho, a 28-year-old Portuguese MMA fighter who died after sustaining 41 blows to the head during the Total Extreme Fighting Contest at the National Stadium in Dublin in April 2016. In a joint statement with the Minister with responsibility for Sport, Brendan Griffin, Ross described the absence of a National Governing Body (NGB) for MMA in Ireland as “unacceptable” and, together with Griffin, called on those in leadership positions within the MMA community in Ireland to introduce, as speedily as possible, best-practice safety and governance standards. “I cannot begin to imagine how painful the passing of Joao Carvalho has been for Mr. Carvalho’s family and in particular his brother, Alexandre, who was at his bedside for his brother’s final moments,” Ross said. “The absence of a National Governing Body (NGB) for MMA in Ireland is unacceptable. All sporting organisations in Ireland are autonomous and self-governing. The Irish Government, through its agency Sport Ireland, works with the sports NGBs, to ensure that high standards of safety and governance are understood and put into place. It is absolutely crucial that the sports bodies do everything they can to protect the safety and welfare of their members.” “It appears to me that MMA leaders here in Ireland are deliberately dragging their feet on the establishment of appropriate governance and safety standards,” Ross added. “Today I call on the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association (IMMAA) to do the right thing – take the steps that are required to safeguard your fighters and prevent needless injury and loss of life. Sport Ireland stands ready to help but can only help if you are willing to ask, and if you are willing to do the right thing.” Brendan Griffin, meanwhile, noted the Coroner’s recommendation that, in the short-term, MMA should adopt safety standards used in professional boxing. He also welcomed the actions of Professor Daniel Healy, the Beaumont-based neurosurgeon and co-founder of not-for-profit Safe MMA Ireland, which was set up for the protection and safety of the Mixed Martial Arts competitors. “I commend Professor Dan Healy for his vigilance, at his own personal cost in terms of time and money, in pursuing adequate safety standards for MMA,” Griffin said. “His persistent efforts have resulted in a major improvement in safety standards at MMA events. I would urge MMA leaders to formalise such safety precautions. Such standards could and should be formally backed by MMA in Ireland through the establishment of a National Governing Body, recognised by Sport Ireland. “What is taking so long? Only the IMMAA can answer that.”