A Roman Catholic bishop on Friday called for the banning of mixed-martial arts TV show because “it promotes barbarism.’’

Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines CBCP Episcopal Commission on Canon Law, said that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) promotes the animal instincts of the people, which he said is un-Christian.

“That should be banned because what comes out is the bestiality of a man… We become barbaric it’s not very Christian,” Medroso said, over Church-run Radio Veritas 846.

“What seems to be happening is we are going back to barbaric times, when there’s the survival of the fittest,” he added.

The Tagbilaran prelate asked the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to ban the program on TV afraid that its promotion of violence might influence the public.

“I hope the authorities will immediately act on this. Let us not anymore support this kind of sport from other country because this is contrary to the culture and tradition of Filipinos,” said Medroso.

Founded in 1993, the UFC showcases fighters that are experts in different fighting techniques such as boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and Muay Thai while working on the tagline “There are no rules” in their brawl-type matches inside the cage-type octagon ring. (Leslie Ann Aquino)