Cage Fighting Ban repealed for Victoria

State government officials of Victoria, Australia, announced today the dissolution of a ban that had long prevented mixed martial arts contests from taking place in a fenced-in area.

The UFC, which promotes fights in its signature Octagon cages, immediately confirmed a long-rumored UFC 193 pay-per-view event to be held Nov. 15 in Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria. Due to time differences, the event will air on Nov. 14 in the United States.

Prior to the ban’s being lifted, all MMA contests in the southeastern Australian state were forced to take place in a boxing ring.