Who needs debates when things can be settled in a cage! Case in point, two politicians in Brazil decided to settle their differences through a 3-round MMA fight.
Simao Peixoto, mayor of Borba, participated in a 3-round slugfest with his political rival, Erineu Alvas Da Silva, a former councillor in the area, TMZ reported.
Screengrab/YouTube
Da Silva has been critical of Peixoto and had blasted his leadership online, even going as far as to call him a "scoundrel".
According to local reports, Da Silva wasn't happy with the mayor's handling of Balneário do Lima, which is a park in the city.
And in a video posted online, the enraged ex-councillor challenged the mayor to a fight.
It didn't take long before Peixoto responded with a video of his own accepting the challenge, facing the camera with a stoic face and fists at the ready.
On his Facebook page, he wrote: "I'm not a street fighter … I'm the mayor of the municipality of Borba. But if he really wants to fight … we're ready to fight … I've always been a winner."
It was decided that it would only take a fight to settle the disagreements.
So, punches, kicks, elbows, takedowns ... all legal.
The fight saw both men throwing everything at each other as the roaring live crowd cheered on from the sides.
The political rivals can be seen running around the ring as they try to land a hit on each other and a referee watches.
In a keenly-fought battle, it was the mayor who emerged victorious after three rounds.
Screengrab/YouTube
Despite Da Silva managing to take the mayor down twice - once with an early right jab, once with a third-round leg sweep - the judges declared Peixoto the winner.
Regional website Fato Amazônico reported: "The mayor took such a beating his jaw dropped."
Local media reported that tickets for the fight were selling for R$100 (Rs 1,300).
At the end of the fight, Mr Peixoto reportedly said that he had accepted the 'challenge' from his main rival so as to encourage people to take up sports in the city.
However, spectators in the crowd reportedly shouted 'stitch up' following the result, according to Fato Amazônico.
From debates to cage fights, politicians have come a long way. But then, who is surprised?
Latest Stories
-
Reintroduce Fiscal Responsibility Act to tackle election budget overrun – Osafo Marfo
42 seconds -
Prioritise transparency, avoid suppressing the truth – Opoku-Agyemang advises EC
6 mins -
In times of setbacks, I won’t say I was only the driver’s mate – Naana Jane assures Mahama
8 mins -
Joselyn Dumas opens up on why single mothers struggle to find partners
10 mins -
Three damaged ECG pylons result in power outage for 9 Shama communities
13 mins -
Dual citizens eligible for Chief Justice, Chief Director, other positions – Supreme Court rules
1 hour -
SIGA urges increased financial support for SOEs
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo vows to enhance Ghana’s power supply
1 hour -
19 steps for getting over even the most devastating breakup fast
4 hours -
8th Ghana CEO Summit launched with focus on AI transformation, economic diversification
4 hours -
Prof Opoku-Agyemang has not been given a fair appraisal – Ablakwa
5 hours -
Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Keta and Anloga districts, residents count their losses
5 hours -
Global Plastics Treaty negotiations begin in Ottawa as countries converge on phasing out problematic plastic uses
5 hours -
Support energy alternatives adoption to sustain businesses – GUTA tells government
5 hours -
11th DRIF opens in Accra with a call on governments to focus on digital inclusion
5 hours