A Fine Gael Senator is seeking to ban the Ultimate Fighting Championship from coming to Dublin, the Herald reports.
Senator Catherine Noone described MMA as a “vile so-called sport”.
Ms Noone stated: "I have written to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport seeking his views on allowing this vile so-called sport to be given a platform and an audience here and fully believe that this event should not be licensed.” She also pointed out that New York state has banned the sport.
"I don't believe we should be serving as a platform on which to publicise it both nationally and internationally, and therefore I don't think we should be hosting this event here," she said.
A spokesperson for the Transport, Tourism and Sport told the paper: "The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has no role in relation to the licensing of such events. Mixed Martial Arts is not recognised by the Irish Sports Council and consequently does not receive any government funding through the Irish Sports Council."
They said that the matter was an issue for Dublin City Council.
The comments come ahead of McGregor's fight in Boston this weekend. The Dubliner has been guaranteed a world title shot if he beats Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 59. “This fight in Boston, if [McGregor] wins, he’s going to fight for the title,” UFC President Dana White said.
A win for McGregor could potentially see a title fight in Dublin, possibly in Croke Park, something the Irish MMA star was hoping would happen.
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