Would You Let Your Eight-Year-Old Cage Fight?

A UK event featuring kids as young as eight cage fighting in front of an audience of 200 adults has created a storm of public controversy, as the parents and club involved have ardently defended their actions.

Police investigated the event, which recently took place at Greenlands New Labour Social Club in Preston, England, and discovered no wrong-doing on the part of the parents or the venue. However, Internet footage of the fights, including this UK news story, have prompted public outrage.

The main complaint with the event is the lack of safety gear — none of the children shown are wearing protective padding or headgear — and the club-like atmosphere of the events, which are full of yelling adults and alcohol.

The club owner, Michelle Anderson, countered this critique, saying that the fighting shown isn’t true cage fighting and potential for injury isn’t there.

“The children were not doing cage fighting, they were just grappling,” she told the Associated Press. “There was no punching, kicking or striking.” One video also depicts a child getting medical attention by a doctor.

A father whose child participated calls the event “a controlled sport, with no punching or kicking,” and doesn’t regret his decision to let his son fight. But the British Cage Fighting Association has a different opinion.

“It’s not illegal, it’s immoral,” said Mark Lyons, the head of the British Cage Fighting Association,.

“If it was in a gymnasium or a club environment, it’s quite acceptable, but in an environment where there’s alcohol involved and scantily clad women knocking about, it’s not the ideal situation for any child, ” he said. “Any parent who sticks their kid in an environment like that has got to be a moron.”

Annie Hauser, Senior Editor

So, would you?

I saw this a couple days ago. From what I saw they were mainly just grappling. I honestly dont see it much different from adults doing it. It is a sport and it's safe. There are people monitoring the fight and they will step in if they need to. Its actually more safe than kids fighting in the backyard or on the school playground IMO. Not to mention, they have a very young start to what could turn out to be a good career. As long as they understand it is a sport and dont abuse their skills in normal everyday situations, I see no problem with it.

so what makes what they are doing any different from karate and other marital art tournies. wrestling is the same way also. i dont think that alcohol is served but that is just looking for problems with kids "fighting" i have no problem with it as a sport

No, i would not let him or at least i could not watch.

Troll will fight 8 year old cage or cage not!

I wouldn't ! I have a hard enough time watching my daughter in Tae Kwon do sparring tournaments! And she has gear on! It gives me a lot of anxiety so I can't imagine cage fighting for a child.

but like the guy said in the article "all it is is grappling" no different than school sponsored wrestling. their is no striking at all