Cage fighting's ups and downs in Victoria

Seven years after the Victorian government made it a criminal offence to stage a cage fight, Melbourne will host one of the world's most anticipated bouts.

Ronda Rousey - who is undefeated (12-0) since joining the Ultimate Fighting Championships - will defend her bantamweight title against fellow American Holly Holm at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The contest will unfold before what is expected to be a record crowd of 63,000 for a UFC event, and watched by countless eyes around the globe.

But a year ago any promoter or organisation holding such an event in Victoria would have faced fines of up to $12,000 or 12 months' jail.

Labor outlawed cage fighting in 2008, but in 2014 the party made an election promise to reverse the ban despite opposition from Victoria Police and other community groups.

While mixed martial arts has always been legal, the ban made events in cages illegal.

Premier Daniel Andrews's government overturned the ban in March and implemented new regulations allowing an octagon enclosure.

The new requirement would make the sport safer for participants, officials, and spectators, Sports Minster John Eren said in March.

"We want to continue the trend of being the sporting capital of the world," he said.

"If we don't host one of the world's fastest growing sports, how can we call ourselves the sporting capital of the world?"

The controversial decision to overturn the ban was met with strong opposition from former Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay, acting Chief Commissioner Tim Cartwright and a number of anti-violence groups.

Melbourne's Lord Mayor Robert Doyle argued encouraging people to "beat each others brains out" sent the wrong message about violence.

Earlier this week, child safety campaigners lobbied the government to ban children from attending the Rousey-Holm fight and argued taking kids to watch UFC could be considered child abuse under Victorian legislation.

The government rejected the calls to ban kids from violent events, saying it was up to parents to make that decision.

Mixed martial arts combines the fighting techniques of wrestling and boxing as well as kickboxing, judo and karate.

Rousey won a bronze medal in judo at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.