Month: October 2013

Drafter of Bill S-209 Disagrees With BC’s Narrow Interpretation of the Law

October 30, 2013

Earlier this month I highlighted BC’s stance that professional kickboxing and muay thai events are not allowed under the updated Section 83 of the Criminal Code. BC interprets the ability of the Province to regulate pro MMA as excluding the sport’s component parts.  If this interpretation is correct than all of the competent sports that … More Drafter of Bill S-209 Disagrees With BC’s Narrow Interpretation of the Law

Why Pro Kickboxing / Muay Thai are Illegal in BC and What Can Be Done About It

October 25, 2013

Whether professional kickboxing and Muay Thai events can legally be sanctioned in Canada is debatable due to the present wording of Section 83 of the Criminal Code. As previously discussed, British Columbia has taken a very restrictive interpretation of section 83 and deem these sports illegal in the Province.   I reached out to BC’s … More Why Pro Kickboxing / Muay Thai are Illegal in BC and What Can Be Done About It

When Sports Violence Collides With the Criminal Code

October 17, 2013

An interesting and often controversial topic is the overlap of the criminal law with sports violence.  MMA is not immune from this analysis as there is nothing that keeps the Criminal Code assault provisions from being triggered in appropriate circumstances.  In cases of PED abuse and intentional post bout contact, criminal prosecution is not out … More When Sports Violence Collides With the Criminal Code

Saskatchewan Publishes Amateur MMA, Kickboxing and Muay Thai Rules; First Sanctioned Event Announced

October 10, 2013

Further to Saskatchewan’s Order in Council passed earlier this year legalizing amateur combat sports, the Province has now published their rules for amateur MMA, Full Contact Martial Arts, Kickboxing and Muay Thai. You can access a copy below: SMAA Amateur MMA Rulebook SMAA Full Contact Kickboxing and Thai Boxing Rulebook In addition to publishing the … More Saskatchewan Publishes Amateur MMA, Kickboxing and Muay Thai Rules; First Sanctioned Event Announced

New York’s Flip Flopping Allows Zuffa MMA Lawsuit to Continue

October 6, 2013

I’ve now had a chance to review the recent judicial decision addressing Zuffa’s challenge to New York’s Combative Sports Ban (Zuffa et al v. New York).  While it is true that New York was successful in dismissing most of Zuffa’s arguments, they failed to strike a key aspect of the lawsuit; the allegation that the … More New York’s Flip Flopping Allows Zuffa MMA Lawsuit to Continue

City of Moncton Puts MMA, Muay Thai and Kickboxing Into Legal Limbo

October 5, 2013

As previously discussed, Bill S-209 did not make MMA legal in all of Canada, instead it made the sport illegal by default and forced Provinces to pass appropriate laws if they wished to change this.  Provinces that fail to act in a timely manner jeopardize the local landscape of the sport.  Such a situation appears … More City of Moncton Puts MMA, Muay Thai and Kickboxing Into Legal Limbo

Athletic Commissions Must Not Ignore Profound Brain Trauma

October 4, 2013

Yesterday I questioned the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services’ decision to uphold a win by Ben Rothwell after he tested positive for elevated TRT.  Dr. Johnny Benjamin was quick to identify a more important issue, the fact that a licence was issued in the first place. Rothwell was granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption … More Athletic Commissions Must Not Ignore Profound Brain Trauma

Is Ben Rothwell’s Elevated TRT Win Really a No Contest?

October 4, 2013

MMA Junkie broke the news that Ben Rothwell tested positive for elevated testosterone following his victory over Brandon Vera at UFC 164. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, which oversaw the event, provided an Athletic Commission’s equivalent of a slap on the wrist for this violation by issuing Rothwell an ‘administrative warning’. Perhaps more … More Is Ben Rothwell’s Elevated TRT Win Really a No Contest?