Combat Sports Law

In most jurisdictions cannabis is banned in-competition for combat sports athletes.  Generally this means that an athlete cannot consume cannabis in the 24 hours prior to competition but otherwise consumption is not considered an anti-doping violation. The problem, however, is there is no satisfactory test which proves in-competition use.  Instead regulators adopt thresholds which are … More Elias Theodorou Granted First Ever MMA Cannabis Therapeutic Use Exemption

The latest development in the ongoing Tim Hague wrongful death lawsuit seeks to argue that a fighter’s trainers owe a duty to report prior brain injury to regulators and failing to do so amounts to negligence. (HT to reporter Mike Russell) By way of background Hague, a former UFC fighter, died from brain trauma after … More What Duty Do Licenced Cornermen Have For Fighter Safety? Tim Hague Lawsuit Court Filings Look To Find Out

In my years covering combat sports legal developments I’ve never delved down to the granular level of a local school district voting.  That said a local bit of combat sports news from Victoria BC seemed worth highlighting. The Greater Victoria School District, which operates 7 secondary schools (high schools), just approved Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as … More Victoria, BC School District Approves Brazilian Jiu Jitsu For Grade 10, 11 and 12 Students

This week the Association of Ringside Physicians published the third installment of their Journal of Combat Sports Medicine (available on line to ARP members). Among the articles was a thoughtful piece by Dr. Nitin K Sethi, a neurologist and ringside physician, who discussed the tensions between ethical medicine and the duties of being a ringside … More Ringside Doctor “No amount of boxing or MMA is good for the brain”

In 2017 UFC fighter Mark Hunt filed suit against the promotion and Brock Lesnar after Lesnar tested positive for banned substances following their bout at UFC 200. The lawsuit made numerous allegations of legal wrongdoing but was largely dismissed earlier this year with the court making the controversial finding that UFC fighters implicitly agree to … More Reasons Published in Mark Hunt Doping Lawsuit Dismissal

Following a fight that did not deliver to fan expectations several lawsuits were filed in the aftermath of the Mayweather-Pacquiao bout. The claims were based primarily on allegations of fraud arguing that Pacquiao wrongfully concealed a pre bout injury and had this injury been disclosed prospective fans would not have purchased the bout.  In 2017 … More Mayweather-Pacquiao “Fraud” Appeal Dismissed