Taking part in illegal fights has consequences, wherever they take place

Combat sports athletes who take part in illegal (street) fights damage the reputation of the sport. This also applies when those fights take place in other countries. If a Dutch national is involved in an event in which people are seriously injured or killed, the whole of Dutch combat sports will be cast in a negative light. Those who take part in such unsanctioned events can expect a substantial suspension that applies across all Dutch sports federations and promoters. They will be unable to compete in this country for a long time.

Combat sports have been tackling abuses for several years now. As a result, public acceptance of the sports we care about is increasing. Kickboxing, Thai boxing and MMA are increasingly regarded as fully-fledged elite sports. Dutch competitive fighters who take part in illegal (street) fights damage the reputation and standing of combat sports in this country. That is why all sports federations and promoters are acting against this jointly.

The illegal (street) fights that are streamed live on social media are highly unsafe. They often take place on concrete floors, between fences with concrete bases on which people can break their necks. There is no proper medical supervision and no qualified referees. Participants knowingly put themselves and their opponents at risk. Moreover, by taking part they draw their sport into the sphere of hooliganism and organised crime. In doing so, they damage combat sports.

The VA (Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit, the Dutch combat sports regulator) and the Dutch sports federations regard participation in illegal fights as contrary to the General Rules of Conduct (Algemene gedragsregels) to which every athlete, trainer, gym owner and promoter commits when taking part in competitions in the Netherlands. Athletes who knowingly accept the risk of endangering themselves and others damage the reputation of Dutch combat sports. They can expect a substantial suspension that will be adopted by all federations and promoters in the Netherlands.

The participant's gym will also be held accountable. Supporting or promoting such activities may lead to withdrawal or refusal of the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit (the regulator's quality mark for gyms and event organisers). This may ultimately result in the entire gym being excluded from competitions in the Netherlands.