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Ultimate Fighting Championship: Unfit for Children?

Is Mixed Martial Arts too violent?

Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Soa Palelei has been asked not to attend a charity event at a children鈥檚 hospital in Perth, Australia. Although the sport of Mixed Martial Art is not banned in Western Australia, UFC is, because of the use of a cage in bouts. As such Palelei鈥檚 attendance was not seen as having a suitable influence on the children. We hear from the fighter and explore if cage fighting should be banned.

From Wickets and Wides to Tackles and Tries
Meet Rudie van Vuuren, the only man to play in a Cricket and Rugby World Cup. That was in 2003, when he turned out for Namibia in both tournaments. There were highs and lows. On the cricket field, he took the scalp of Sachin Tendulkar but got hit for 28 in one over by Darren Lehman. On the rugby pitch, he was sitting on the bench injured as Namibia were crushed 142-0 by Australia in a group game.

What Links Cricket and Tennis to the Humble Egg?
It is the last part of our series looking at the language of sport. Amongst other things we find out what links tennis and cricket to the humble egg, and why a birdie is called a birdie. Simon Horobin professor of English at Oxford University reveals all.

Treve's Triple Triomphe Attempt
Sunday sees the richest horse race in Europe, the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe. We hear about Treve the record attempting horse that is not only inspiring music to be written, but confirming a place in history for pioneering female trainer Criquette Head-Maarek. She tells us about overcoming barriers, beating cancer and loving the song dedicated to her horse.

Neil Back鈥檚 Rugby Premonition
Ahead of England鈥檚 crunch match with Australia we hear from former England World Cup winner Neil Back, who reveals how he knew from a very early age he was going to play for England (and drive a Porsche!)

Indian Rugby
Winning the Rugby World Cup is a not something India are likely to achieve in the foreseeable future, but it has strong links to the game. The Calcutta Cup for a start. So can the country one day take on the powerhouses of the game?

Sporting Witness
In 2005, the Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba, made a dramatic plea for an end to the Civil War in his home country of Ivory Coast. Led by Drogba, the Ivorian national team went on to play their matches on both sides of the front line, in an attempt to help unify the country. Midfielder Gilles Yapi-Yapo explains all.

(Photo: Soa Palelei of Australia celebrates victory after his UFC Brisbane. Credit: Getty Images)

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49 minutes

Last on

Sat 3 Oct 2015 09:06GMT

Broadcast

  • Sat 3 Oct 2015 09:06GMT

Podcast