Combat Sports Law

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

In a case that illustrates the potential perils of self representation, the strict liability of anti doping offenses and an athlete’s burden to introduce exculpatory evidence after a doping violation is established, reasons for judgement were published by the UK’s National Anti Doping Panel handing a US boxer a 4 year suspension. In the recent  … More Boxer Ryan Martin Handed 4 Year Ban By Anti Doping Tribunal

Update December 17, 2019 – BoxingScene reports that today Chavez Jr. succeeded in receiving a temporary restraining order against the NSAC setting aside the temporary suspension which clears him to fight in Arizona.  This story will continue with more likely to come from both the judiciary and the NSAC. _________________________________________________________________________ Today Thomas Hauser reports that … More Julio Cesar Chavez Jr In Nevada Drug Testing Authority Dispute

Earlier this year the Supreme Court of New South Wales awarded a ringside physician $385,000 in total damages after publications were written suggesting he was incompetent in allowing a boxing bout to proceed after an alleged concussion. In the recent case (O’Neil v. Fairfax Media Publicaitons Pty Ltd (No 2)) the Plaintiff was the ringside … More Ringside Doctor Awarded $385,000 For Defamatory Suggestion That He Failed To Diagnose Concussion

One of the most dangerous aspects in mixed martial arts and other weight restricted sports is the practice of rapid extreme weight cuts whereby athletes try to make weight for their division through extreme measures resulting in well documented risks, injuries and even death. In one of the more tragic results of such practices Marc … More Fighter Suffers Brain Stem Ischemia With Paralysis From Apparent Rapid Extreme Weight Cut

Earlier this week it came to light that Nate Diaz tested positive for detectable levels of a prohibited substance after an out of competition test conducted by USADA, the UFC’s privately hired anti doping watchdog who implements their custom tailored anti doping policy.  This potentially jeopardized his main event bout scheduled shortly in New York. … More UFC / USADA Announce “Significant Changes” To Their Doping Policy After Nate Diaz Incident