COMMENT: Shame on the yobs who tainted charity event

Alarming scenes at a mixed martial arts event in Portsmouth, with tables flipped, chairs thrown and a man injured, have had unfortunate consequences for charity fundraisers.

Mayhem erupted at an Ultra MMA event to raise money for Cancer Research at Mountbatten Leisure Centre, and forthcoming boxing events have been cancelled pending an internal review.

It is alleged that fighting broke out among audience members and video footage of the violence was shared on social media, with many condemning the behaviour.

Police are trying to trace witnesses at the event to piece together what happened.

Nigel Holding from Waterlooville was part of the group who trained for eight weeks before taking part in the event on Saturday night.

He said: ‘We raised over £8,000 but we know that the only thing people are going to remember now is the fighting that went on in the audience.

‘I have no idea what started it but it has made us all rather angry and upset that this charity match was ruined right at the end with people throwing chairs and flipping tables.’