Why WA Combat Sports Commission turned down Perth Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event

The WA Combat Sports Commission was split over minimum experience rules that were later used to reject plans for Perth’s first bare knuckle fight, it can be revealed. The West Australian has obtained documents that show four of the Commission’s seven board members argued for a minimum seven professional bouts for each fighter, but a minority view prevailed and set the bar higher. The three other board members argued for a 10-bout minimum, that could be boxing, muay thai or mixed martial arts, according to the documents, obtained under Freedom of Information. All names were redacted. The West has obtained the minutes of the meeting in June that decided to knock back the championship fight at RAC Arena, only days after tickets went on sale, in the wake of calls from the Australian Medical Association for the “blood sport” to be banned. Concern for the “health and safety of participants” was cited as the “primary concern” behind the decision, with the majority of the 12 proposed bouts falling short of the minimum 10 bouts and seven years of combat sports experience. “Two bouts did not meet the threshold,” the minutes noted. “Five bouts required more information. The Commission formed the view that these bouts may not meet the threshold requirement. “Four bouts did meet the threshold requirement. It was also noted that most of the contestants were international or interstate. It was noted that most contestants had not competed in bare knuckle boxing before this proposed contest.” A health, safety and fighter compliance submission also rated the risk of crowd disorder or violent incident “high” and the potential consequence “major”. Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti has rejected calls for a blanket ban, insisting she will leave decisions about bare knuckle boxing to the Combat Sports Commission while leaving the door open for a future event. “Event organisers, promoters and athletes are encouraged to discuss proposed events with the Commission and submit event applications in line with the sanctioned set of rules,” she said. “The WA Government has consistently made it clear that combat sports should be managed and regulated by the Commission, and its experts.” But combat sports enthusiasts say the Commission’s split decision is proof the bar has been deliberately set too high. “I don’t think the sport’s dead by any stretch of the imagination,” combat sports commentator Brett Bonetti said. “Another promoter might try and put on a local event. But WA might not be the first anymore. “It’ll probably be difficult finding the talent to go on the card. You’d have to find international talent. It’s not impossible, but it shuts off an opportunity for a young, talented fighter that wants to pursue this.” He’s calling for a review of the minimum experience rules, he claims are “extremely excessive”, and believes the decision to decline the permit was premature. “That doesn’t fly with me, because they still had plenty of time to sort that out,” Mr Bonetti said. “The card . . . that’s not required until 21 days out from the bout so there was still plenty of time to communicate and go back and forth.” The BKFC organisers were applying pressure, according to emails sent to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries ahead of the March State election — that warned there was interest elsewhere. “Just a little side note as (redacted) in a couple of days, and election, we have had to escalate the process in other States,” they wrote. “But I’ve told our stakeholders that WA will come through for us.” In February, the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship was recognised as a sanctioned body in WA. But by April, post-election, a meeting of the Combat Sports Commission noted that the first BKB contest “will attract significant unfavourable media attention” and recommended a “cautious” approach. Days later organisers promised former UFC champion Conor McGregor — “the biggest name in combat sports” — would be the official guest of honour and that the sport’s national debut would “place WA at the centre of global fight culture”. Their email included a request for funding and warned time was running out. “We have the venue. We have the fighters. We have the broadcaster,” they said. “What we require is the funding support necessary to keep this milestone event in WA. “This is my final opportunity to retain this event here in WA. If there is any scope for the WA Government to signal support even in principle, I would welcome the opportunity to act immediately.” In June, organisers claimed they were “blind-sided” by the decision to decline the permit.