Combat Sports Law

Update – In a welcome development the UFC has now decided to pull Hirota from the card.  The UFC released the following statement: Due to health and safety concerns, the UFC featherweight bout Hirota vs. Rosa at UFC Fight Night Japan: Saint Preux vs. Okami has been cancelled, as Hirota was deemed unfit to compete … More This Is How Fighters Die

When can a sports promoter be liable for selling a product to the public based on lies?  Reasons for judgement were recently released grappling with this issue. Last month the United States District Court, Central District of California, dismissed a class action lawsuit from purchasers of the Pacquiao v. Mayweather Pay Per View Bout. In … More When Can a Sports Promoter Sell a Product to the Public Based on Lies?

This week the oldest fighter on the UFC’s roster made some candid yet troubling admissions. In an article published at the Players Voice, Hunt reveals that he is struggling with cognitive impairment with the heavyweight noting “Sometimes I don’t sleep well. You can hear me starting to stutter and slur my words. My memory is … More Are Mark Hunt’s Health Admissions a Career Killer?

Following an unfortunate and avoidable case of regulatory negligence, boxer Magomed Abdusalamov suffered permanent impairment following brain trauma sustained in a 2013 bout. The New York State Athletic Commission, the regulator in charge, provided inadequate post bout care likely causing/compounding the fighter’s injuries which included permanent partial paralysis. A lawsuit was launched and it is … More New York Settles Negligence Lawsuit With Brain Injured Boxer for Record $22 Million

Re:Sound, a not-for-profit collective society authorized under the Canadian Copyright Act to “administer the performance rights of performers and record labels in sound recordings“, is targeting martial arts gyms for payment of tariffs. In short, Canada’s Copyright Board sets royalties which can be collected for “published sound recordings embodying musical works and performers’ performances of such works” … More Martial Arts Gyms Targeted for Licence Fees for Music Played During Classes

Update August 30, 2017 – Today I spoke with Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports President Mike Mazzulli who advised as follows “It is the expectation of the ABC that all member commissions will ensure that combatants are not under medical suspension in any official ABC database prior to licencing them to compete“. Mazzulli … More Edmonton Licences Medically Suspended MMA Fighter For Boxing Bout

A Nevada Athletic Commission pre-fight medical questionnaire signed by Floyd Mayweather reveals the boxer had Kenalog injections in his hands at 5 am the day before his bout with Conor McGregor. According to Drugs.com Kenalog is classified as a Glucocorticoid which are banned by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) in-competition. So is this a doping violation? … More Floyd Mayweather Questionnaire Reveals Kenalog Injections Prior to McGregor Bout

In a headline I wish I was making up the City of Edmonton has announced the long awaited body who will be handling the investigation into Tim Hague’s boxing death. Hague, a former UFC fighter, died from brain trauma after a boxing bout on June 16, 2017.  He was clearly outmatched being knocked down 3 … More Edmonton Responds to Tim Hague Boxing Death… By Hiring Accounting Firm

Earlier this week I discussed the potential consequences Jon Jones may face following a reported positive doping test.  One consequence which garnered the most attention was a potential lawsuit by his opponent.  This topic deserves a stand alone post. To my knowledge no fighter has yet been successfully sued for being injured as a result … More Why a Successful Fighter Doping Lawsuit is Not Just a Pipe Dream