A Mixed Martial Arts event due to take place in Co Meath has been cancelled after Minister for Sport Shane Ross put out a statement expressing concerns about the safety of the event.

Battle Arena, the event organisers, have said the fighters had undergone all necessary medical checks and that a doctor, paramedics and an ambulance were in attendance.

However the Claremont Stadium in Navan, which had been booked for the event, decided after hearing Minister Ross’ concerns decided it would not host the event.

The fighters, some of whom had travelled from Norway, have gone to a local MMA club to spar.

Tickets for the event had cost between €30 for a single standing ticket, up as high as €400 for a VIP table for ten people.

In a statement yesterday evening, Minister Ross said he found it "deeply troubling that any event promoter could contemplate running an event which would expose the participants to an unacceptable level of risk and injury."

"While I don't have the authority to stop this event I do ask the event promoters to consider cancelling it if they cannot implement these basic precautions in full," he said.

Minister Ross called on promoters of MMA and other extreme combat sports events to ensure that appropriate medical services are in place and that all necessary steps are taken to protect participants

Minister Ross said the passing of Joao Carvalho highlights that lives are at risk when competing in extreme combat sports events.

He said that for MMA events, adherence to the high safety standards adopted by leaders in the MMA community is vitally important in the interregnum to the establishment of a governing body.

Minister Ross said event promoters and insurance providers need to continue to be mindful of their responsibility for participants' safety and liability should an event lead to a serious injury or fatality.

He also called on the owners of premises hosting such events to ensure that promoters take every possible precaution to minimise injury and prevent further fatalities.

He added that the safety of participants at such events must be the overriding concern.