The popularity of combat sports spans the history of mankind, from wrestling in 708 BCE to modern MMA.
Every civilization has enjoyed combat sports in one form or another. Despite this global love for the sport, MMA is banned in several countries for various legal and cultural reasons. Some nations have lifted their bans, while others still prohibit MMA in 2024.
So, why is MMA illegal in some countries? In this article, I’ll explore which countries currently prohibit MMA and where it was once banned but has since become legal. Keep reading to discover the evolving legal landscape of MMA around the world.
Countries Where MMA is Banned in 2024
Since UFC 1 was staged in 1993, many countries banned MMA practice and organizing events as it was deemed a brutal game. Many countries have lifted the ban, but two countries are still persistent in their legal action against MMA. Those countries are:
- Afghanistan
- Norway
Afghanistan
In August 2024, the Taliban government officially banned MMA in Afghanistan, citing concerns about its compatibility with Sharia law. According to the current regime, mixed martial arts contains many elements that contradict Islamic teachings.
Atal Mashwani, a spokesman for the General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, told The Telegraph:
“The free fighting games are banned from now on, and no one is allowed to practice them. Those athletes involved in the sport can move to another sport of their choice and continue their activities.”
MMA’s rise in Afghanistan began after the UFC’s debut in 1993, captivating fans across the country. The nation’s first Mixed Martial Arts Association was formed in 2008, and various MMA events soon followed in different provinces.
One of the earliest events was the Snow Leopard Fighting Championship, Afghanistan’s first private MMA tournament, founded in 2015. Another major promotion, the Afghanistan Fighting Championship, organized eight events between 2015 and 2019.
However, the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 dramatically changed the landscape for MMA in the country. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice stated that cage fighting clashes with Sharia law, and the sport’s brutal nature was inconsistent with Islamic principles.
Many believe the ban isn’t solely rooted in religious concerns but also reflects the Taliban’s broader cultural agenda. Some officials see MMA as a symbol of Western influence, which they perceive as a threat to Afghan traditions and values.
Whatever the reasoning behind it, one thing is clear: practicing or organizing MMA events in Afghanistan is now strictly prohibited under Taliban rule.
Norway
MMA has been illegal in Norway since 1981, due to a regulation known as the “Knockout Law” (KO Law). The law prohibits sports where knockouts are a method of winning, which led to the banning of MMA, boxing, and other combat sports that rely on knockouts.
However, a successful campaign led by Cecilia Brækhus, an undefeated pro boxing world champion and Norwegian sports icon, prompted Norwegian authorities to reconsider their stance. This resulted in sports being reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with several bans being lifted.
In 2016, boxing was officially removed from Norway’s “red list,” and soon after, combat sports like karate, taekwondo, and kickboxing were also exempted from the Knockout Law, allowing professional events to be held.
In 2019, the Norwegian MMA Federation (NMMAF) achieved a significant milestone when the Norwegian Sports Confederation (NIF) granted recognition for amateur MMA.
This means MMA can now be practiced openly, and gyms are allowed to operate throughout the country. However, professional MMA events still remain a distant goal.
According to the NIF regulations, amateur MMA bouts can last up to three minutes, and strikes with the elbow and knee are prohibited. In contrast, professional MMA rounds are five minutes long, with elbow and knee strikes allowed—highlighting the stricter rules in place for amateur MMA in Norway.
While the NMMAF continues to organize various amateur MMA events and regulate the sport across the country, the future of professional MMA events in Norway remains uncertain. Whether Norway will eventually lift the ban on pro MMA is yet to be seen.
Countries where MMA was illegal once
Apart from Norway and Afghanistan, several countries have also had a history of banning MMA. Below are three notable countries where the legalization of MMA has had a significant impact on the sport:
- USA
- France
- Thailand
USA
The USA is well-known for its love of combat sports like boxing and martial arts, especially through Bruce Lee’s Kung Fu influence.
When the Gracie family introduced Mixed Martial Arts to the American public with UFC 1 in 1993, there was initial uncertainty about whether the American audience would embrace it. However, the event became a huge success.
As MMA’s popularity grew after the success of UFC 1, many states across the USA started organizing and hosting MMA events. However, during the early years, the sport was largely unregulated, lacking official rules or guidelines for safety.
On this ground, In 1997, Arizona Senator John McCain, a vocal critic of MMA, spearheaded a campaign to ban the sport. He famously referred to MMA as “human cockfighting,” arguing that its violent and unregulated nature made it too dangerous for participants.
McCain’s efforts culminated in a successful ban on MMA in the state of New York, one of the country’s largest and most influential states.
In response to the growing criticisms and bans, efforts were made to legitimize and regulate MMA.
The turning point came in 2000 when the Unified Rules of MMA were introduced. These rules were developed to provide structure, standardize safety measures, and legitimize the sport, which until then had been seen by many as chaotic and overly violent.
The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board was the first to adopt the Unified Rules, becoming a pioneer in the formal recognition of MMA as a legitimate sport. This decision laid the groundwork for the future growth of MMA across the United States.
Finally, in 2016, New York lifted its ban on MMA, allowing professional MMA events to take place across the entire United States.
France
Despite being home to many talented MMA fighters and a thriving community of gyms, France officially banned MMA for several years.
In 2016, the French Ministry of Sports passed a law that outlawed certain combat techniques, effectively disqualifying MMA as a legal sport in the country. According to this law, the following techniques were prohibited and would lead to immediate disqualification:
- Punches, kicks, or knee strikes against a grounded opponent
- Elbow strikes
- Headbutts
- Blows to the genitals, back of the head, or throat
- Eye gouging, biting, or hair pulling
- Throwing an opponent intentionally onto their head or neck
- Throwing an opponent out of the ring
These restrictions rendered MMA illegal in France, and the French MMA Federation (CFMMA) lost its legal recognition as a result. The ban on MMA was seen as a major setback for the sport, which had been growing in popularity among athletes and fans alike.
In response, the CFMMA launched a campaign advocating for the legalization of MMA, highlighting the safety regulations and professional standards of the sport.
After years of lobbying, the French government finally lifted the ban in January 2020, officially recognizing MMA as a sport. Both amateur and professional MMA practices and events were now permitted across the country, marking a significant victory for the MMA community in France.
Thailand
As the birthplace of Muay Thai, Thailand has a rich tradition of full-contact martial arts and is globally known for organizing major fighting events.
So, it came as a shock when, in 2012, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) officially banned MMA and prohibited any MMA events from being held in the country.
Many speculated that the ban was due to MMA’s growing popularity, which posed a potential threat to Muay Thai, Thailand’s national sport. There were concerns that MMA could draw audiences away from Muay Thai events, leading to a decline in its viewership and cultural significance.
Meanwhile, The country’s sole MMA promoter at the time, DARE Fight Sports, challenged the SAT’s decision. They argued against the legality of the ban, pointing out the growing international appeal of MMA and its potential to coexist with Muay Thai.
After significant pushback and legal challenges, the SAT lifted the ban in 2013, allowing MMA events to resume in Thailand.
Final Thoughts
While MMA continues to grow globally, its legal status still varies significantly from country to country.
In some places, the sport is embraced with open arms, while in others, it faces strong opposition.
Afghanistan and Norway remain two countries where MMA is still banned, while nations like the USA, France, and Thailand have seen the sport’s legalization open doors to new opportunities.
The future of MMA legalization in these countries is uncertain, but one thing is clear: MMA’s global journey is far from over. Do you agree? Let me know your thoughts.