An association which organized mixed martial arts courses, or MMA, in a municipal gymnasium in Villiers-sur-Marne (Val-de-Marne) had its slots withdrawn a week after the start of the school year by the municipality.
The mayor (LR) of the town, Jacques-Alain Bénisti explained to the
Parisian
that he feared that this type of activity would generate fights between young people.
“As long as I am mayor, I will never allow an activity like mixed martial arts,” he said.
The city councilor assured that he was not aware of the activity of this association when the slots were allocated, thus justifying their withdrawal a week after the launch of the courses.
“The law is made for everyone”
Since the beginning of October, the association has relaunched its activity in a private dojo in Villiers-sur-Marne, but officials still hope to renew dialogue with the municipality.
For the time being, the municipality has refused the reallocation of slots, despite the drafting of internal regulations at the initiative of the association.
Dominique Nato, the president of the French Boxing Federation, the supervisory authority for MMA in France, told Le
Parisien
that “this sport has had ministerial approval and is recognized.
MMA is perfectly legal and supervised.
The law is made for everyone”.
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Villiers-sur-Marne
Ile-de-France
mma
Martial Arts