Province proposing legislation to bring prize-fighting sports like MMA and boxing to P.E.I.

Prize fighting in sports like boxing and mixed martial arts could be coming to P.E.I., as the province proposes to make some combat sport fighting competitions legal.

P.E.I.'s criminal code bans prize fighting — when two people meet to fight with their hands or feet — in many cases. But the government is seeking public input on legislation that would regulate professional and amateur boxing, kick-boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA).

Neighbouring provinces Nova Scotia and New Brunswick already allow tournaments in these sports, and Matt MacGrath, who owns Renzeo Gracie Gym in Charlottetown, said it's long overdue for P.E.I.

"I've (got) a number of amateur and pro fighters from the gym that have to travel to other provinces, it would be kind of nice for them to fight in front of their moms and dads and grandparents," he said.

"There's no need to be travelling like that. It should have been here a decade ago, like other provinces... It's really doing a disservice to the province overall to not have it here."

MacGrath said that prize fighting can also bring in a lot of revenue, from many sources.

"[It's] something that the province is missing out on," he said.

"Hotels, restaurants, nightlife, all kind of missing out, let alone the event itself."

Zack Bell, P.E.I.'s minister of fisheries, tourism, sport and culture, agrees the proposed legislation is overdue.

"I just feel for those families and those people that would like to be able to do this on P.E.I., it's a bit of a roadblock right now, and I don't want that roadblock there for them," he told CBC News.

The province said the proposed legislation is meant to protect participants, ensure proper oversight of organizers and governing bodies, and align with best practices in