But not Rodriguez and his fellow mixed martial arts (MMA) enthusiasts. A new association to represent amateur combat athletesThose changes can't happen quickly enough for Rodriguez. Among the issues: MMA is one of a handful of amateur combat sports that are still not officially recognized by the provincial government. The province has had the power to legitimize amateur combat sports like mixed martial arts since a change to federal law in 2013. Amateur MMA used to operate in a sort of legal grey zone with multiple events happening around the province each weekend, but authorities started cracking down four years ago.

Source: CBC News February 08, 2021 23:48 UTC