(Flowchart via wikipedia) It was over 20 years ago when I ordered my first UFC event on Pay Per View (more accurately, my parents ordered it for me given that I was 16 at the time). The sport has come a long way since that time and revisiting the … More UFC 1 v. The Unified Rules of MMA; Some Fun With History
Alongside issues arising from Concussion Mismanagement and PED Abuse, Rapid Extreme Weight Cutting practices are a tragedy waiting to happen in MMA. Today, a teachable moment arose at the UFC 171 weigh ins that regrettably was overlooked. Welterweight title contender Johny Hendricks failed to make weight on his first attempt. Not only did he fall … More When Making Weight Does Not Cut It in Combat Sports
Following criminal charges being laid after hosting an amateur mixed martial arts event without SMAA approval, the Prestige Fight Club has now sued the Provincial Government and the SMAA. I have obtained a copy of the pleadings which were filed with the Court of Queen’s Bench of Saskatchewan, Regina Registry on March 13, 2014. Prestige … More Prestige Fight Club Sues Government and Saskatchewan Martial Arts Association
Further to the recent discussion of Zuffa’s ‘successful prosecutions‘ regarding piracy of their Pay Per View product I’ve taken some time to dig deeper into the issue. There are far more reported cases than have made headlines in the MMA media and the lesson is stark; Zuffa has a strong track record attracting high damages … More Zuffa v. Piracy – Expensive Lessons in Default Judgement
Important reasons for judgement were released today by the Supreme Court of Canada addressing when consent to sexual contact can be taken away by fraud. What does this have to do with cheating in MMA? A lot. In short, given the Supreme Court of Canada’s reasons, consent to physical contact will be vitiated (taken away) … More What Do Sex, Condoms, PED’s and Mixed Martial Arts Have in Common?
In a long overdue move, the California State Athletic Commission has announced that they will adopt WADA Standards when asked to grant a Therapeutic Use Exemption for Testosterone Replacement Therapy. As previously discussed, this is a more sensible move than Nevada’s total ban given the legal need of athletic commissions to be alive to discrimination … More California To Adopt WADA Standards for Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Given the inherent dangers of MMA, athletic commissions and promotions must take reasonable steps to keep the sport clean and meaningfully test for PED abuse both in and out of competition. Unfortunately, the EFC seems to have fallen short of this standard following the tragic death of Congolese fighter Booto Guylain. Keron Davies was on … More EFC Fails to test for PED’s Following Booto Guylain Death
There is no escaping the reality of the threat of head trauma for combat sport combatants. Both acute injuries and prolonged sub-concussive exposure can lead to harsh consequences. This week there are two stark reminders of this reality from the combat sports world. In tragic news South African middleweight Booto Guylain passed away after sustaining … More Two Sober Reminders of the Reality of Head Trauma in Combat Sports
The Saskatchewan Athletics Commission Act, which will legalize pro MMA and other combat sports in the Province, is up for second reading and is presently being debated by the Saskatchewan government. It appears there is momentum in place and the law will likely pass but there is debate about the particulars of the proposed law. … More Saskatchewan Pro MMA Law Debated by Government; Fighter’s Association and Disability Benefits Discussed
Combat Sports Law 