While several provinces have allowed MMA bouts within their borders, the sport is still disallowed in PEI, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Nunavut, and most parts of New Brunswick. Bill S-209 likely opens the door to the sport in those hold-out regions. This development presents for me personally what I expected would be a curious quandary. On one hand, I am an epidemiologist who is actively engaged in public health activities in Canada, professionally and emotionally committed to supporting actions, institutions and legislations that demonstrably protect Canadians' health. On the other hand, I'm a lifelong student of a variety of martial arts, and a vocal fan of the sport of MMA.

A mixed martial arts competition in Moncton, N.B., is garnering controversy after it featured a cage fight between children last month. T...