UFC Backlash

This weekend the Ultimate Fighting Championship will visit Sydney for UFC 312.

What has largely escaped many is the controversy surrounding the funding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events in Sydney by the NSW government.

The NSW government, under Premier Chris Minns, committed to spending $16 million to host three UFC events in Sydney. This decision was justified to the public by economic benefits, with the first event reportedly injecting over $15 million into the state's economy.

Minns has received significant backlash from various groups.

Women's safety advocates and anti-violence campaigners have criticised the funding, highlighting that UFC events glorify violence. Organisations like Domestic Violence NSW and Full Stop Australia expressed concerns about the message this sends, especially in a society grappling with issues of domestic violence and aggression.

Specific incidents involving UFC fighters have fuelled the controversy. Notably, comments and actions by Sean Strickland in Sydney, including misogynistic remarks and physical altercations with fans, were widely condemned. This behaviour was seen as contrary to the positive image the government aimed to project.

Strickland has expressed views like “”We need to take women out of the workforce,” which led to criticism and suggestions of his need for therapy. He also made a jesting remark during an event, suggesting that if women fight, “who is going to make sandwiches?".

There has been political opposition to the funding. The NSW opposition, including figures like Leslie Williams, criticised the government for not addressing the implications of supporting UFC. The Premier defended the decision by arguing that the economic benefits outweighed the controversies and that the sport could have positive influences if managed correctly.

The media and public on platforms like X have expressed varied opinions, with some seeing the funding as a tone-deaf move by the government, while others appreciate the economic boost and the sport's popularity. There's a sentiment that the UFC's controversies, particularly around fighter conduct and the sport's inherent violence, should not be dismissed lightly.

The overarching debate is whether the economic gains from hosting such events justify the potential social costs, including the promotion of violence and the use of taxpayer money in a way that some view as misaligned with societal values or other pressing needs.

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The Guardian

Code Sports

By April Pethybridge