Month: August 2015

USADA Doping Archives – Punishments Start From Date of Final Hearing

August 25, 2015

As previously discussed, the UFC’s new anti-doping policy largely mirrors the World Anti Doping Code making USADA arbitration decisions highly relevant to UFC fighters.  If UFC fighters want to see what punishments will look like under the new UFC policy they need look no further than to USADA arbitration decisions.  To this end I will … More USADA Doping Archives – Punishments Start From Date of Final Hearing

WSOF’s Planned Elimination Tournament Faces Regulatory Obstacles

August 24, 2015

Update – WSOF is now apparently seeking to change venue after learning elimination tournaments are illegal in Washington State.  Ariel Helwani posted the following tweet – ________________________________________ Earlier today MMAJunkie reported that the World Series of Fighting plans a one night eight man elimination tournament to be held in Seattle in November with the following … More WSOF’s Planned Elimination Tournament Faces Regulatory Obstacles

Headgear Revisited – Study Suggests Increased Head Clashes Reason to Bring Back Headgear in Amateur Boxing

August 24, 2015

A study was recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reviewing the Amateur International Boxing Association’s recent rule change to remove headgear from international competition. In the recent study (Because Not All Blows To the Head are the Same) the authors suggest that one type of impact, namely head clashes, can lead to … More Headgear Revisited – Study Suggests Increased Head Clashes Reason to Bring Back Headgear in Amateur Boxing

$110,000 Claim Following UFC 165 Piracy Rejected; $3,250 in Damages Suggested

August 24, 2015

In the latest prosecution alleging UFC pay per view piracy, reasons for judgement were released recently by the US District Court, E.D. California, assessing damages at a fraction of what was claimed. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. Al-Arshad) the Defendant operated a commercial establishment and displayed UFC 165 on five television sets. … More $110,000 Claim Following UFC 165 Piracy Rejected; $3,250 in Damages Suggested

Professional Boxing Urged to Adopt Uniform National Standards For Brain Safety

August 23, 2015

As recently discussed, one of the most important questions in combat sports medicine is how much head trauma is too much? Although the answer is not known, the current regulatory landscape could use improvement in deciding when regulators should pull the plug on an athlete that is ‘too tough for their own good‘.  To this … More Professional Boxing Urged to Adopt Uniform National Standards For Brain Safety

MMA Fighters Association Publish Mission Statement; Launch New Website

August 21, 2015

Today the Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association launched a new website.  Included at the site are articles, videos, archived podcasts and other media addressing issues important to the organization.  Fighters, Press and Supporters can sign up for the organizations newsletters as well.  Among the information contained there is the following background and mission statement of … More MMA Fighters Association Publish Mission Statement; Launch New Website

MMAFA Founder – Association is Growing and “I Am Getting Threats”

August 18, 2015

Arizona lawyer and founder of the Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association Rob Maysey appeared on a podcast earlier this week where he discussed his efforts at organizing fighters, the anti-trust lawsuits, the Ali Act and other legal issues in the landscape of MMA. The MMAFA’s organizing efforts are perhaps one of the biggest fights in MMA right … More MMAFA Founder – Association is Growing and “I Am Getting Threats”

CTE Linked To Duration of Contact More Than Concussive History

August 17, 2015

Update – August 18, 2015 – another useful discussion was recently published in the text “Brain Neurotrauma” confirming that more insight into CTE is needed with the authors noting “Despite extensive publicity, the real risk of CTE among amateur and professional players has not been measured or adequately characterized and notions derived from autopsy studies, … More CTE Linked To Duration of Contact More Than Concussive History

South Carolina Becomes First State to Approve “Two vs Two” Mixed Martial Arts

August 17, 2015

Update September 29, 2015- The below event has now indeed taken place.  You can click here for details as reported at BJPenn.com. _________________________________ “Arena Combat”, a two on two variation of mixed martial arts hosted in an arena equipped with padded obstacles, has recently been approved by the South Carolina Athletic Commission. The SCAC has the … More South Carolina Becomes First State to Approve “Two vs Two” Mixed Martial Arts

UFC Piracy Investigator Accused of “Entrapping” Defendant in Piracy Prosecution

August 15, 2015

In my ongoing efforts highlighting the prosecution of UFC Pay Per View piracy cases, reasons for judgement were released this month by the US District Court, D. Hawaii, with some troubling allegations. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc v. Chalfont) the Plaintiff company, who has commercial licencing rights for various UFC pay per … More UFC Piracy Investigator Accused of “Entrapping” Defendant in Piracy Prosecution