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The Irish Martial Arts Commission has said Mixed Martial Arts is not a sport and like dog fighting should not be made legitimate.

Documents seen by RTE say the IMAC, which has been asked to consider taking MMA under its wing so it can be regulated by Sport Ireland, wrote to the International Olympic Committee in April saying MMA did not deserve to be legitamised.

The broadcaster reports the documents they obtained through a Freedom of Information request describe MMA as "pornographic, sadistic and voyeuristic to its core."

They reportedly read: "We have to be strong enough to say no - to draw a line - and live with the criticism of the MMA fan core and vested business interests".

"If MMA is not interested in changing the rules regarding elements such as 'ground and pound' then a ban is the only option to those whom 'they' are saying should regulate MMA."

Calls for MMA to be regulated came after the death of Joao Carvalho on 11 April in Dublin.

(Image: David Fogarty)

The Portuguese fighter died after suffering head injuries in a fight with Charlie Ward, who is a teammate of UFC champion Conor McGregor, at the National Stadium.

The IMCA allegedly say in the documents that "consumers of MMA want to see people not just beaten, but physically damaged".

They also say that there are elements of MMA that cannot be avoided "no matter how many doctors are present."

McGregor recently spoke on the death of Carvalho, saying it was "f***ed up".

He told Men's Health: "It's f**ked up. I wasn't just watching that fight. I helped train a guy to kill someone, and then someone wound up dying.

"This is a f**king dangerous game. People call it a sport, but it's fighting. I'm just making sure it ain't me. And that's f**ked up."