Knock this 'sport' out of S.C.

Last year, the Legislature succumbed to the pitch that "mixed martial arts" contests would bring money and tourists to South Carolina. It legalized the competition, in which combatants punch, kick, wrestle and throttle each other.

Last weekend showed why that was a bad idea as 30-year-old Michael Kirkham died at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center, apparently from injuries sustained inside the ring. It was his first professional fight.

Mr. Kirkham collapsed following the fight and died without regaining consciousness after suffering bleeding inside his brain.

South Carolina has had enough problems with blood sports involving animals -- cockfighting, dog fighting, hog-dog fighting. It doesn't need to get behind those involving humans.

Legislators should choose carefully when the state's image is at issue.

Cockfighting draws many spectators, some from out of state. And it generates a substantial financial return, at least for those on the winning side. Still, cockfighting isn't an enterprise worth cultivating for South Carolina.

Neither is mixed martial arts.