Month: January 2014

BC Athletic Commissioner Supports Formation of Amateur MMA Provincial Sporting Organization

January 15, 2014

Amateur MMA is government regulated in BC and events cannot be held without oversight from the BC Athletic Commissioner.  Given this framework is there a place for a Provincial Sport Organization to help foster and grow AMMA?  The BC Athletic Commissioner thinks so.  I reached out to Dave Maedel and here are his views on … More BC Athletic Commissioner Supports Formation of Amateur MMA Provincial Sporting Organization

Are the Canadian Amateur MMA Championships on a Collision Course With the Criminal Code?

January 14, 2014

The Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Championship Series #3 is advertised to take place on February 22 and 23 at Adrenaline MMA Training & Fitness London Ontario. This amateur Mixed Martial Arts event has ties to the International Mixed Martial Art Federation’s Canadian “Observation Member” (the CNMMAF) with the event promoter stating that “After Ammacs 3, the Advanced … More Are the Canadian Amateur MMA Championships on a Collision Course With the Criminal Code?

There is Nothing Mild (Nor Unusual) About TJ Grant’s Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

January 12, 2014

TJ Grant’s slow recovery made headlines again this week with reports that he still is not cleared to fight since last year’s concussive injury.  Is there really anything unusual about this timeline given that he just had a “mild” concussion? Unfortunately the answer is no.  The reality of post concussive symptoms is they can take … More There is Nothing Mild (Nor Unusual) About TJ Grant’s Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Calgary Combative Sports Commission Cite’s “Overwhelming Workload”; Seeks Governance Review

January 10, 2014

As Cities across Alberta lobby the Province to drop the local commission model in favour of a Province wide model, the Calgary Combative Sports Commission is reporting an “overwhelming workload” and seeking overhaul. Earlier this week the CCSC presented a report to the City’s Priorities and Finance Committee stating that they have challenges in meeting their … More Calgary Combative Sports Commission Cite’s “Overwhelming Workload”; Seeks Governance Review

There Can Be Only One! – The Path To NSO Status For Amateur MMA in Canada

January 8, 2014

There is a race currently underway between rival organizations to govern amateur MMA in Canada.   You can click here for some insight into this. Currently the race looks like a sprint but whether they know it or not the competitors are actually running a marathon. The end game is to gain National Sport Organization status … More There Can Be Only One! – The Path To NSO Status For Amateur MMA in Canada

What Vitor Belfort Needs To Prove For a TRT Exemption in Nevada

January 8, 2014

Presently there is perhaps no greater controversy in professional combat sports than Therapeutic Use Exemptions for anabolic steroids.  A bright spotlight will shine on this issue again with many asking whether Vitor Belfort will receive a Therapeutic Use Exemption for TRT by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his upcoming middleweight title fight which is … More What Vitor Belfort Needs To Prove For a TRT Exemption in Nevada

Alberta Municipalities Call For Province Wide Combative Sports Commission

January 7, 2014

The legality of MMA and Combat Sports varies across Alberta from Municipality to Municipality.  Interestingly, this may change as the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association is now lobbying the Provincial Government to replace the local commission model with a Province wide combative sports commission. Alberta’s 272 urban municipalities gather annually through the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association … More Alberta Municipalities Call For Province Wide Combative Sports Commission

Why Technicalities Matter – Criminal Conduct Exclusions and Insurance in MMA

January 4, 2014

I am not a professional combatant, I am not a promoter and I am not a government regulator.  Despite this I go on and on about the need of Provinces like Ontario and Quebec to pass appropriate laws to legalize amateur MMA instead of turning a blind eye, and here I go again.  Why? Because … More Why Technicalities Matter – Criminal Conduct Exclusions and Insurance in MMA

Is Ontario Selectively Prosecuting MMA Events?

January 3, 2014

I have previously highlighted why there is no proper framework for amateur MMA in Ontario and until appropriate post Bill S-209 laws are passed amateur MMA events cannot comply with section 83 of the Criminal Code. Despite this it appears that some amateur Combat Sports events are taking place without government repercussions.  Pecker’d Promotions discusses … More Is Ontario Selectively Prosecuting MMA Events?

Canadian MMA Law Recognized As “Best New Law Blog” in 2013

January 1, 2014

I am honoured to receive the 2013 Canadian Law Blog Award naming this site as one of the Best New Law Blogs of the year.  Thank you to everyone who nominated this site,  to Steve Matthews, Simon Fodden and Jordan Furlong for the award, and to everyone who has visited in 2013. So how do you celebrate an award as … More Canadian MMA Law Recognized As “Best New Law Blog” in 2013