The Canadian Medical Association wants government to ban the sport of mixed martial arts across the country.

Canada’s largest doctors group says the sport is dangerous and it puts fighters at risk of severe head trauma and other injuries that could have lifelong effects.

Outgoing CMA president Dr. Anne Doig said a physician’s responsibility is to promote healthy living.

“We are concerned when people engage in activities, the sole purpose of which is to pummel, kick, punch, scratch — whatever methods they use — until either somebody is seriously hurt or injured or somebody cries uncle and submits,” Doig told a news briefing at the Niagara Falls, Ont., meeting.

“This is an activity that leads to serious issues, including damage to people’s brains, and we must speak out against that,” she said.

In January 2010, Vancouver city council voted in favour of a two-year, MMA event trial run. Just recently, the province of Ontario voted to sanction fight cards beginning in 2011.

In all, seven Canadian provinces allow mixed martial arts events.

– with files from the Canadian Press

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