UFC heavyweight and Make-a-Wish ambassador Soa Palelei has been banned from visit sicking children by a Western Australia hospital.
“The Hulk” is currently raising money for Telethon but Princess Margaret Hospital have told him he is not allowed visit the kids because “cage fighting” is outlawed in the state.
Western Australia Today reports that Palelei and former rugby league champion Matt Fuller were organising a photo opportunity at the hospital to promote their Telethon fundraiser. Palelei’s son suffers from absence epilepsy and he told Radio 6PR that he was shocked at the hospital’s decision to ban him.
“I got a phone call from Matt Fuller’s wife, saying I wasn’t allowed to attend. I was like ‘really’? I was dumbfounded in a way. You want me to do a 24-hour grind, put my body on the line for you, raise money for you guys, but you won’t let me see the kids?”
“It’s disappointing …. I can’t go in there to see the kids.”
Although MMA is not illegal in Western Australia, the state remains the only jurisdiction in Australia which outlaws use of the Octagon.
A spokeswoman from the hospital said they decided to ban “The Hulk” from the hospital because of his affiliation with the UFC.
“Following the significant media coverage of controversy surrounding UFC fighting, which is currently banned in Western Australia, a decision was made by the PMH executive that it would not be appropriate to have a representative of the sport visit the hospital,” she said.
“PMH has a duty of care to its patients, their families and staff.
“With many people in the community having very strong views about this particular sport, due to its perceived level of violence, and the fact it is banned in WA, executive staff felt this was the best decision at the time.”
