There are a few developments in Nova Scotia which are noteworthy and point to the need for legislative overhaul for both professional and amateur MMA.
On the amateur side, it is reported that a body called “The Nova Scotia Amateur Mixed Martial Association” will be designated as an authority to oversee amateur MMA in the Province. The article seems to suggest that the body derives their authority from the Nova Scotia Boxing Authority.
If that is the case there is a problem. As previously discussed, the Nova Scotia Boxing Authority does not have the authority to oversee amateur contests. The Boxing Authority Act, the law that created and empowers the NSBA, specifically limits their authority to oversee “professional” contests. The Nova Scotia government confirms the body was created solely to oversee professional contests.
If the NSBA can’t oversee amateur contests they certainly don’t have the authority to delegate this power to others.
Unless there is a law I am not aware of designating the NSAMMA as a body capable of overseeing amateur MMA in the Province in compliance with section 83 of the Criminal Code the legal landscape is problematic. A quick search of Nova Scotia’s OIC’s fails to reveal such a designation. If anyone is aware of such a law or OIC I would appreciate it being pointed out for me.
The issues don’t end on the amateur side. It was recently announced that the UFC will host an event in Halifax on October 4. While the NSBA can legally oversee such an event the current rules on the books are a far cry from the unified rules that the UFC operates under. In fact Nova Scotia’s official regulations addressing the rules of the sport speak to pure boxing such as requirements that the bout take place in a ring with ropes, at least 8 oz gloves are used, counts for downed boxers, fouls such as using knees, holding an opponent and wrestling. So professional MMA is legal but the rules of actual boxing apply.
If amateur MMA is going to be legally hosted in Nova Scotia the Province needs to pass a law in compliance with Section 83 of the Criminal Code. Further the Province needs to overhaul the official rules in place for MMA if there is to be any integrity to the NSBA’s oversight of such contests.
Combat Sports Law 