Vancouver Wary Of MMA "Gangsters"

This is the best news lede of the month: "The potential for an Ultimate Fighting Championship event to draw undesirable gangsters to downtown Vancouver is real, say police." So should we just hand over our wallets and women now?

A police spokesman confirms that "it's a fact" that UFC bouts attract gangs and organized crime. Sure, a few non-criminal thugs might be interested too, but are you willing to gamble your daughter's virtue on that?

The difference, said Irwin Cohen, a criminologist at the University of the Fraser Valley, is the demographics for mixed martial arts fans overlaps considerably with young men involved in organized crime.

"You could make the argument ... in terms of a broader audience it may appeal to that classic 14- to 22-year-old male, aggressive, and some of that does fit into the organized crime or gang profile as well.

Great. We're all doomed. Thankfully, the city will not sanction bouts until the sport becomes "regulated" and Eliot Ness puts an end to its bootlegging ways. And can we do something about the rock-and-roll and mini-skirts, too, while we're at it?

Gangsters' love of UFC worries B.C. officials [Edmonton Sun] MMA will bring undesirable gangsters to your city [Watch Kalib Run]