UFC / USADA Announce “Significant Changes” To Their Doping Policy After Nate Diaz Incident

Earlier this week it came to light that Nate Diaz tested positive for detectable levels of a prohibited substance after an out of competition test conducted by USADA, the UFC’s privately hired anti doping watchdog who implements their custom tailored anti doping policy.  This potentially jeopardized his main event bout scheduled shortly in New York. … More UFC / USADA Announce “Significant Changes” To Their Doping Policy After Nate Diaz Incident

Criminal and Civil Anti Doping Act Passes in the US House of Representatives

A proposed law which would establish significant criminal and civil repercussions for doping conspiracies in “major international sport competitions” has just been passed by the US House of Representatives. The bill, titled the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (RADA) needs to pass a vote in the Senate and then be signed by the President before officially coming … More Criminal and Civil Anti Doping Act Passes in the US House of Representatives

Inhalergate – Legal Issues Surrounding the Greg Hardy Situation

At UFC on ESPN 6 Greg Hardy fought Ben Sosoli and was handed a decision victory.  Subsequently the result was overturned by the overseeing regulator to a no-contest.  The reason being Hardy used an inhaler during the bout. The bout was overseen by the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission (MSAC).  A real question is whether the … More Inhalergate – Legal Issues Surrounding the Greg Hardy Situation

Will Ali AbdelAziz’s Antics Bring Disciplinary Consequences From the Nevada Athletic Commission?

This week prominent MMA manager Ali Abdel Aziz made headlines for all the wrong reasons.  It is reported that he is accused of battery in two separate cases in Las Vegas. One stemming from a run-in with fighter Colby Covington and the second from reportedly striking competing manager Abe Kawa “with a closed fist on … More Will Ali AbdelAziz’s Antics Bring Disciplinary Consequences From the Nevada Athletic Commission?

Study Shows Mileage Matters When It Comes to Brain Health and Contact Sports

Adding to the growing medical literature connecting Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (“CTE”) and exposure to contact sports an important study was published this week in the Annals of Neurology finding that for every year an individual plays football their chances of developing the brain disease increases by 30%. In the study, titled Duration of American Football … More Study Shows Mileage Matters When It Comes to Brain Health and Contact Sports

Survey Reveals “Many Ringside Physicians Likely Going Without Proper Malpractice Liability Coverage”

The second issue of Association of Ringside Physicians’ (ARP) Journal of Combat Sports Medicine was published today and included was a study summarizing survey results demonstrating a  lack of understanding of various legal issues at play when Ringside Physicians are sued for negligence and further that many members are likely overseeing events without proper malpractice … More Survey Reveals “Many Ringside Physicians Likely Going Without Proper Malpractice Liability Coverage”

Study – Excessive Rapid Extreme Weight Cuts Linked to Higher Loss Rates in MMA

Adding to this site’s combat sports safety study archives a recent article was published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research analysing win/loss ratios and rapid extreme weight cuts. In the study, titled Weight-Cutting Implications for Competition Outcomes in Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fighting, the authors reviewed the weight cuts, weight gains and competition … More Study – Excessive Rapid Extreme Weight Cuts Linked to Higher Loss Rates in MMA