What about boxers? They literally risk boxing others into a state of brain damage. How is that any different than their description of MMA?
I've said it when it comes to fighting in hockey and I'll say it here.
In hockey more players have died as a result of drunk driving than the 'violence' and fighting in hockey. Yet, people are not calling out demanding that all the beer sponsors for hockey step down.

The same goes with MMA. I think more fighters get hurt in training than their actual fights.
These polititcians are just as ignorant to MMA as everything else in the world.