The McGowan Government is days away from overturning the ban on the “cage” in mixed martial arts, paving the way for Perth’s first UFC event.

Sports Minister Mick Murray said yesterday the Government was about to honour an election promise by lifting the ban on grounds of fighter safety.

The changes would be gazetted by the State Law Publisher this week or next week.

He said there would be a transition period away from boxing rings to give local promotions time to adjust.

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The “cage” or Octagon was banned by the Barnett Government in 2013 against the safety advice of WA’s Combat Sports Commission.

At the time, Mr Barnett said he did not think “cage fighting” was in the community’s best interests.

MMA fights had to be held in modified boxing rings instead.

Critics of the ban, including the multi-billion dollar UFC, said it compromised the flow of the sport and put athletes at risk of falling through the ropes.

When the Victorian Government lifted a similar ban in March 2015, it left WA as the only jurisdiction in the world where MMA was legal, but the cage was not.

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Only one major Australian promotion has continued to hold events in Perth since the ban was imposed — Queensland’s Eternal MMA.

There have been several scares at Eternal MMA’s recent WA events where fighters have nearly gone through the ropes.

It is unclear whether Eternal MMA’s show at the WA Italian Club on Saturday night will be held in a cage or a boxing ring.

Mr Murray’s announcement will be cause for celebration for WA’s MMA community which has stagnated in the past four years.

The UFC has stated it intends to bring a high-profile event to Perth Arena early next year.

The lucrative events inject millions of dollars into host economies.

Mr Murray said while MMA was not “everyone’s cup of tea”, he wanted to make it as safe as possible. “It makes no sense to continue with a ban that is only good for putting athletes at risk,” Mr Murray said. “MMA is already legal and taking place across Perth at a grassroots level, but athletes and promoters have been left frustrated that they can’t use the standard safety equipment for their sport.”