Combat Sports Law

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

Today Thomas Hauser reports that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr recently refused to undergo a drug test requested by the Nevada Athletic Commission (“NAC”) for a bout against Danny Jacobs that was was slated for the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Hauser reports that the NAC contracted with the Voluntary Anti Doping Agency (“VADA”) … More What Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Can Learn From Wanderlei Silva About Nevada’s Drug Testing Authority

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

A proposed law which would establish significant criminal and civil repercussions for doping conspiracies in “major international sport competitions” has just been passed by the US House of Representatives. The bill, titled the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (RADA) needs to pass a vote in the Senate and then be signed by the President before officially coming … More Criminal and Civil Anti Doping Act Passes in the US House of Representatives

At UFC on ESPN 6 Greg Hardy fought Ben Sosoli and was handed a decision victory.  Subsequently the result was overturned by the overseeing regulator to a no-contest.  The reason being Hardy used an inhaler during the bout. The bout was overseen by the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission (MSAC).  A real question is whether the … More Inhalergate – Legal Issues Surrounding the Greg Hardy Situation

This week prominent MMA manager Ali Abdel Aziz made headlines for all the wrong reasons.  It is reported that he is accused of battery in two separate cases in Las Vegas. One stemming from a run-in with fighter Colby Covington and the second from reportedly striking competing manager Abe Kawa “with a closed fist on … More Will Ali AbdelAziz’s Antics Bring Disciplinary Consequences From the Nevada Athletic Commission?