Combat Sports Law

Laying hands on an opponent at a weigh in is a terrible idea. Although not totally uncommon either out of bad blood or simply a cheap trick to hype a fight, unexpected consequences can follow and these can lead to legal consequences,. This week Jeremy Stephens shoved Drakkar Klose, his scheduled opponent at UFC Vegas … More Weigh in Shove Leads to Injury and Cancelled Bout. Legal Consequences to Follow?

Update April 16, 2021 – Jake Paul has now retracted his self diagnosis of CTE claiming he “misspoke”. Presumably he realized an incurable progressive brain disease is not hype and instead a concern to pull his boxing licence. ______________________________________________________________________________ Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is an irreversible progressive neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head trauma. Combative … More Jake Paul Claims “Early Signs of CTE”. Trolljob Or Licence Threatening Admission?

Late last year the judge overseeing the antitrust lawsuit against the UFC indicated he likely is going to grant class certification. When a proposed class action lawsuit is launched one or several plaintiffs allege wrongdoing. They further allege that many other victims exist and that the lawsuit should include everybody. This is the class. Certification … More UFC Antitrust Lawsuit Plaintiffs Launch Informative Website

In Part 2 of my latest YouTube video at Combat Sports Lawyer Explains I canvass the World Anti Doping Agency’s test for Therapeutic Use Exemptions and explain how the first ever TUE by an athletic commission met this test for medical marijuana. If you are looking for more on this topic here are some quick links: Part … More Cannabis For Fighters Part 2 – Therapeutic Use Exemptions

In my latest YouTube video at Combat Sports Lawyer Explains I tackle all things cannabis under WADA’s prohibited list. If you are looking for more on this topic here are some quick links: ABC Recommends Lighter Cannabis Sanctions WADA Creates “Substances of Abuse” Category For Anti Doping MMA Returned to Canada With Historic Cannabis TUE in Place A Simple Fix … More Cannabis for Fighters and the WADA Prohibited List

Some controversy has arisen in the past few weeks in mixed martial arts. Back to back UFC main events were derailed after bout ending fouls. One was called accidental. The other intentional. The designation can make a vast difference on bout outcome with results varying (depending on timing and foul designation) of potentially going to … More What Are “Intentional” and “Accidental” Fouls in MMA?

This past weekend the first professional MMA card took place in Canada since the Covid-19 shutdown. RiseFC 6 took place in Victoria BC on March 13, 2021. The BC Athletic Commission was the first Canadian commission to resume operations hopefully paving the way for other Provinces to get professional combative sports back on track. The … More MMA Returned to Canada With Historic Cannabis TUE in Place