Plans to bring bare-knuckle boxing to Perth have been dealt a serious blow – and now, former Channel Seven personality turned Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas is leading calls for the sport to be permanently banned.
The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship [BKFC], co-owned by UFC icon Conor McGregor, was expected to stage its Australian debut in Perth this July.
Instead, the WA Combat Sports Commission has declined the application, leaving organisers scrambling and critics relieved.
Zempilas, once a mainstay of Seven’s AFL and Olympic coverage, now serves as Leader of the Opposition and head of the WA Liberal Party.
He’s demanding the State Government take the next step and outlaw the sport altogether, arguing it has no place in Western Australia.
‘It was very clear that a significant majority of Western Australians did not want this brutal sport to be coming to Perth,’ Zempilas said.
Pictured: Action from the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, which had a Perth event cancelled this week after an outrcry
Western Australia Opposition Leader and former Channel Seven star Basil Zempilas wants bareknuckle boxing banned from his state permanently
Australian UFC veteran and bare knuckle fighter Bec Rawlings had been scheduled to co-headline the event
‘It should not have taken this long, and there are still lots of questions.’
He urged the Combat Sports Commission, chaired by former Labor Minister Bob Kucera, to publicly explain why the permit was denied.
‘We don’t know what criteria was not met, or how the decision was reached,’ he said.
‘We don’t know whether there were discussions between the Minister and the Commission, and it would appear the door is still open.’
Zempilas said a full ban would be the only way to prevent future applications.
‘That’s what we want. Clearly that’s what the people of Western Australia want.’
‘It sets a bad example, there is very little demand.’
‘And it took the long way and a confusing way to get there, but I’m pleased that the common sense decision was ultimately reached.’
The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is co-owned by UFC superstar Conor McGregor
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had also expressed his concerns about the event going ahead
His stance has been echoed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who also voiced concerns earlier this week.
Speaking to Triple M, Albanese said: ‘A bit of common sense – you’ve got to look after people’s health a bit and maybe save people from themselves.’
He referred to the rising awareness of concussion and long-term brain damage in sport.
‘I just think we’ve got to be much more conscious about health issues,’ he said.
Albanese mentioned a recent conversation with former rugby league great Mark Carroll about the long-term effects of concussion.
‘It’s a bit crazy,’ the Prime Minister said, when asked directly about bare knuckle fighting.
The Australian Medical Association WA has also taken aim at the proposed event.
‘We have a domestic violence crisis,’ said AMA WA President Michael Page.
If Zempilas gets his way, fighters like the BKFC’s Mike ‘Platinum’ Perry (pictured) will never get to compete in Western Australia
‘We have people sorting out their problems with their fists in Northbridge on Saturday night.’
‘This is not the type of example our community needs.
‘We don’t need this type of race to the bottom with bloody violence.’
The WA Government had faced pressure over the event’s approval, particularly as Sports Minister Rita Saffioti had previously defended it.
She argued it was difficult to justify banning bare-knuckle fighting while continuing to support UFC events for tourism purposes.
‘I can’t differentiate between this and UFC,’ she said.
‘Just because it’s not my cup of tea, or the Premier’s cup of tea, doesn’t mean we have the right to say no.’
Still, the application was ultimately rejected.
A statement from the Combat Sports Commission confirmed the decision but offered no detailed explanation.
‘After careful consideration, the Board was not satisfied the event met the required criteria,’ it read.
BKFC President David Feldman had previously insisted the show would go ahead, calling Australia ‘perfect for showcasing BKFC.’
Among the scheduled bouts was a heavyweight clash between former UFC fighter Ben Rothwell and Australian strongman Alex ‘Godly Strong’ Simon.
Simon, who once tipped the scales at 181kg and has a background in powerlifting, has spoken openly about his time in prison.
The co-main event would have featured Tasmania’s ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings, the competition’s first-ever female champion.
Rawlings was set to face off against Canadian fighter Jade Masson-Wong.
The proposed matches were set to take place at RAC Arena on July 19.
But with the permit denied and calls for a ban intensifying, the future of BKFC in Australia looks doubtful.
Zempilas has called for a full explanation from the WA Government and a clear statement that the sport is unwelcome.
‘The Premier and Sports Minister are still duty-bound to act,’ he said.
‘If they truly believe this isn’t good for WA, they should say so plainly.’
