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A Lighthouse in the state of Maine, where MMA was recently sanctioned.

Portland, Maine - Less than a week after David Zinczenko, editor in chief of Men’s Health and the editorial director of Women’s Health, wrote a glowing op-ed in The New York Times about how he has transformed from a supporter of MMA's ban in New York into an actual fan of the sport, comes the most uneducated piece you will read on MMA for the next few days. I hope.

Robert E. McAfee, former president of the American Medical Association, wrote his own op-ed in The Portland Press Herald on Thursday about MMA, in which he proclaimed that "Maine should be ashamed to host this for-profit violence" and openly wondered "why a cage was necessary for the bout." He responded to his own question with this brilliant line:

"It is now obvious -- it is there to protect the innocent fighters from us."

Well done, Doctor.

For MMA fans, this kind of rhetoric has become all too familiar, and while I don't want to draw too much attention to such nonsense, it is important to address it.

However, instead of me telling you why I think Dr. McAfee is wrong, why don't we ask state representative Matthew Peterson, who was the prime sponsor of the bill to legalize MMA in the state Maine, what he thinks of Dr. McAfee's take on MMA.

"When I read something like this it just screams to me of someone who just hasn't really studied the evolution of the sport and how far we've come from those UFC 1 days, and just how safe the sport is at this point," Rep. Peterson told Versus.com. "And after having witnessed literally probably hundreds of MMA shows in person and thousands more on television, I'm absolutely convinced of its safety. Is there risk involved? Certainly. But there's risk involved [with] anything."

Rep. Peterson prefaced his statement by letting me know that he was paralyzed as an 18-year-old and credits the medical community for saving his life. I think that was important for him to mention because he obviously wouldn't be one to support anything that could or would recklessly harm the residents of Maine.

It's important to note that Dr. Mcafee was once president of an association that called for the abolishment of boxing in all civilized countries 25 years ago. So it isn't all too suprising to hear his ridiculous take on MMA.

And I fully understand that MMA will never be everyone's cup of tea. That comes with the territory when you are dealing with combat sports. But as Rep. Peterson said, at least back up your arguments with legitimate facts. Educate yourself. You may not like the sport, but you can't ignore the facts.

While that is something that can not be said of Dr. Mcafee, that is exactly what Zinczenko did. I highly encourage you to read his article.

The bill to legalize MMA was passed in Maine in 2009. The first-ever sanctioned event in the state takes place on April 30. Good for the state.

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