Month: January 2016

Wanderlei Silva Issues UFC “Fight Fixing” Apology; Released from Zuffa Contract

January 14, 2016

Update January 14, 2016 – As speculated below there indeed has been a settlement as between Silva and Zuffa and this includes Zuffa releasing Silva from his UFC contract clearing him to fight overseas as his Nevada regulatory woes continue.  Last year Wanderlei Silva suggested that the UFC “fixed fights” and that he could prove … More Wanderlei Silva Issues UFC “Fight Fixing” Apology; Released from Zuffa Contract

Minimal Damages Awarded Following UFC 161 Piracy

January 14, 2016

Adding to this site’s archived cases of UFC pay per view event piracy prosecutions, reasons for judgement were recently released by the US District Court, SD Georgia, Statesboro Division, awarding minimal statutory damages following the commercial piracy of UFC 161. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc v. Flynt) the Defendant operated a bar … More Minimal Damages Awarded Following UFC 161 Piracy

Nevada Athletic Commission Adopts New Pre Fight Questionnaire

January 13, 2016

The pre-fight medical questionnaire is an important document which, when filled out incorrectly, can lead to significant legal consequences for fighters.  You need look no further than to Nick Diaz’s legal woes  and the lawsuits against Manny Pacquiao for examples of this or to the recent Supreme Court of Canada decision finding that undisclosed doping is … More Nevada Athletic Commission Adopts New Pre Fight Questionnaire

Nevada Athletic Commission Accused of Holding Wanderlei Silva Hearing “Hostage”

January 13, 2016

Lost in yesterday’s news of Nick Diaz’s drastically reduced suspension following his Nevada Athletic Commission marijuana saga, is Wanderlei Silva’s prolonged and ongoing battle with the Commission reaching back to a ducked out of competition drug test in May of 2014. In short Silva ran and was issued a lifetime ban and a $70,000 fine … More Nevada Athletic Commission Accused of Holding Wanderlei Silva Hearing “Hostage”

Mixed Marital Arts Fighters Association Petition for Ali Act Expansion

January 12, 2016

Today the Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association launched an online petition seeking for support to expand the Muhammad Ali Act to professional Mixed Martial Arts. The petition can be found here and reads as follows – To: Chairman, House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Stop unfair and anticompetitive practices in MMA. MMA is the fastest growing … More Mixed Marital Arts Fighters Association Petition for Ali Act Expansion

Nevada Athletic Commission Reduce Diaz Penalty; Delay Silva Re-hearing Until February

January 11, 2016

Further Update January 12, 2016 – Diaz and the NAC reached a settlement agreement that was unanimously approved at the hearing.  His suspension was reduced from 5 years to 18 months.  His fine was reduced from $166,462 to $100,000.  Diaz was ordered to provide the NAC three clean urine test results before is next contest … More Nevada Athletic Commission Reduce Diaz Penalty; Delay Silva Re-hearing Until February

Lessons and Reflections from Cro Cop’s Negative Doping Test

January 10, 2016

Last year legendary fighter Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic unceremoniously retired from MMA in the midst of a doping scandal.  Cro Cop admitted to out of competition use of Human Growth Hormone shortly after being subject to USADA testing and earned the unwelcome distinction of being the first fighter to be sanctioned under the UFC’s/USADA anti doping regime. … More Lessons and Reflections from Cro Cop’s Negative Doping Test

Gary Goodridge Discusses the Reality of Living With CTE

January 9, 2016

The risks of long term brain injury for athletes who choose a career in MMA and other combat sports is a reality. While this site spends much time summarizing scientific literature addressing these risks a personal story is far more persuasive than data and statistics. Recently legendary combat sports fighter “Big Daddy” Gary Goodridge highlights … More Gary Goodridge Discusses the Reality of Living With CTE

UFC Issues Payment Reductions Following Outfitting Policy Infractions

January 7, 2016

Update January 12 – Cerrone has suggested that his fine was $10K or more.  It has also been confirmed that Rafael Dos Anjos was the second fighter to be  fined a “significant amount”for wearing an Evolve MMA t-shirt prior to weigh ins, and lastly that Nate Diaz was the third to be fined, his violation apparently … More UFC Issues Payment Reductions Following Outfitting Policy Infractions