MMA: art or savagery? (180, Nov 2017)

Mixed Martial Arts is one of the world’s fastest growing sports, with stars such as Conor McGregor becoming household names. But many critics claim it is no better than street brawling and there have even been attempts by the British Medical Association to ban it.

People within the sport say that far from being a brawler, MMA requires you to be an athlete in prime condition with a strategic thought process, and participants are experts in many forms of martial arts including karate, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing and kickboxing.

So what makes MMA so appealing and the focus of so much media attention? We’ll discuss this and more with MMA fighters Leah McCourt (IMMAF European & World Champion), Phil Campbell and Danny Corr (MMA World Governing Body Coaching Committee, chairman Ulster Amateur MMA and founder of MMA Youth Development programmes).

MMA fighter Leah McCourt
MMA fighter Leah McCourt

The details: Banter on MMA takes place at the Bullitt Hotel, Belfast on Wednesday November 1 at 6.30pm. Tickets can be booked here.