Court – Promoters Have No Standing To Sue Using Ali Act

This week a lawsuit alleging that Al Haymon and the Premier Boxing Championships were conducting business in an anti-competitive way was dismissed by the US District Court, Central District of California.  For a great breakdown of this decision along with what it may mean for the UFC anti-trust lawsuit I recommend this piece by Paul … More Court – Promoters Have No Standing To Sue Using Ali Act

UFC’s Felipe Olivieri Handed 2 Year Doping Suspension

Today the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the UFC’s anti doping policy administrator, announced that Felipe Olivieri has been handed a 2 year suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance in an out-of-competition urine test on January 11, 2016.  The test revealed the presence of 5α-tetrahydromethyltestosterone and 5β–tetrahydromethyltestosterone, which are metabolites of methyltestosterone. Methyltestosterone is banned at … More UFC’s Felipe Olivieri Handed 2 Year Doping Suspension

Why UFC Halifax Fighters Can Win By Groin Shot

From the strange but true files, fighters competing at the UFC’s upcoming card in Halifax are entering an odd legal landscape.  I have previously canvassed some Nova Scotia legal peculiarities here along with legal positives for fighters but there is one regulation which deserves a stand-alone post. The fight ending groin shot. The Nova Scotia Boxing Authority … More Why UFC Halifax Fighters Can Win By Groin Shot

Talking Mark Hunt Lawsuit, Diaz and Conor Boxing Licences and More on the Fight Network

Today I had the pleasure of appearing on the Fight Network’s MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency discussing some of the latest legal topics in combat sports.   You can find the full interview here: As always I’d like to thank Gabriel for having me as a guest. For those of you visiting here for the first time after listening welcome!  For … More Talking Mark Hunt Lawsuit, Diaz and Conor Boxing Licences and More on the Fight Network

UFC Grants Angela Hill Waiver from 4 Month USADA Testing Period

Last year the UFC controversially granted Brock Lesnar an exemption to the usual rule that returning athletes be in the US Anti Doping Agency’s testing pool for at least 4 months prior to competing.  Lesnar subsequently failed both an in and out of competition test surrounding UFC 200 and this created a host of legal consequences … More UFC Grants Angela Hill Waiver from 4 Month USADA Testing Period

Celine Haga Controversy and Legal Remedy

Update January 27, 2017 – this week Missouri responded to an appeal of Haga and unfortunately refused to overturn the result leaving judicial review as the only remaining legal remedy _____________________________________ Tonight Celine Haga choked her opponent unconscious at Invicta 21 as her bout came to an end but instead of being declared the winner … More Celine Haga Controversy and Legal Remedy

$60,000 Demand Rejected for UFC 173 Piracy – Damages Assessed at $8,242

In the latest UFC piracy prosecution, a default judgement request of $60,000 was rejected and the Court assessed damages at $8,242. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. Meunier) the Defendant displayed UFC 173 at a commercial establishment without paying the commercial sub-licencing fee to the Plaintiff.  The fee would have been $1,600. … More $60,000 Demand Rejected for UFC 173 Piracy – Damages Assessed at $8,242

Mark Hunt Sues UFC / Lesnar Alleging Doping Fraud Conspiracy

Late last year Mark Hunt threatened to sue the UFC and Brock Lesnar after the high profile fighter tested positive for banned substances following UFC 200.  He even suggested racketeering allegations.  Today Hunt made good on his promise suing Zuffa, Lesnar, and Dana White in Federal Court. The full court filing can be found here … More Mark Hunt Sues UFC / Lesnar Alleging Doping Fraud Conspiracy

Nevada Considers Removing Marijuana Ban from Combat Sports

Update January 13, 2017 – The meeting has now taken place and the NAC unanimously voted in support of item 10 ______________________________________________ Arguably no substance has resulted in more controversial athletic commission disciplinary decisions than marijuana.  Sober fighters testing positive for marijuana metabolites which could have been consumed many days prior to competition have been … More Nevada Considers Removing Marijuana Ban from Combat Sports

California State AC Releases Series of Educational Fighter Health Videos

The California State Athletic Commission has taken a step which has received little publicity but is deserving of attention by the combative sports community.  They have produced a series of videos focusing on fighter health and safety issues, namely acute traumatic brain injury, cumulative concussions and dangers of dehydration.  With CTE being a potential reality … More California State AC Releases Series of Educational Fighter Health Videos