For the uninitiated, cage fighting is a no-holds barred brawl between two opponents in the confines of an enclosed boxing ring-style “cage’’.

It is brutal, bloody, disgusting and for some reason increasingly popular among young men who are stimulated by ultra-violence.

Why on earth the state government would want to lift a ban on it in Victoria beggars belief.

The state’s top cop, Chief Commissioner Ken Lay, thinks the sport has the potential to “normalise violence’’ in the minds of some members of the community.

It could be argued that for many young men charged up on drink, steroids and other drugs, violence is already a normal part of their lives anyway.

 So why make things worse?

Mr Lay is right when he says cage fighting, or ultimate fighting to give it its other name, is simply bloodthirsty violence masquerading as entertainment. 

It certainly could not be described as sport.

Those who take part in ultimate fighting argue that they are highly trained and conditioned to take the physical punishment that every bout brings.

 They also argue that it is about freedom of choice in that if you don’t want to watch it, don’t.

But they are missing the point in that those who do want to watch it are probably those who have a propensity to violence in the first place. 

Otherwise, why would they be interested?

Mr Lay argues that violence generally is becoming the norm whether it be a street brawl, violence in sport or family violence and it is time for the community to take a stand against it.

The state government must think very hard about the message it is sending to Victorians by lifting the ban on cage fighting.

There is nothing to be gained by allowing it, but potentially a great deal to lose.