Author: EMagraken

Saskatchewan Publishes Amateur MMA, Kickboxing and Muay Thai Rules; First Sanctioned Event Announced

October 10, 2013

Further to Saskatchewan’s Order in Council passed earlier this year legalizing amateur combat sports, the Province has now published their rules for amateur MMA, Full Contact Martial Arts, Kickboxing and Muay Thai. You can access a copy below: SMAA Amateur MMA Rulebook SMAA Full Contact Kickboxing and Thai Boxing Rulebook In addition to publishing the … More Saskatchewan Publishes Amateur MMA, Kickboxing and Muay Thai Rules; First Sanctioned Event Announced

New York’s Flip Flopping Allows Zuffa MMA Lawsuit to Continue

October 6, 2013

I’ve now had a chance to review the recent judicial decision addressing Zuffa’s challenge to New York’s Combative Sports Ban (Zuffa et al v. New York).  While it is true that New York was successful in dismissing most of Zuffa’s arguments, they failed to strike a key aspect of the lawsuit; the allegation that the … More New York’s Flip Flopping Allows Zuffa MMA Lawsuit to Continue

City of Moncton Puts MMA, Muay Thai and Kickboxing Into Legal Limbo

October 5, 2013

As previously discussed, Bill S-209 did not make MMA legal in all of Canada, instead it made the sport illegal by default and forced Provinces to pass appropriate laws if they wished to change this.  Provinces that fail to act in a timely manner jeopardize the local landscape of the sport.  Such a situation appears … More City of Moncton Puts MMA, Muay Thai and Kickboxing Into Legal Limbo

Athletic Commissions Must Not Ignore Profound Brain Trauma

October 4, 2013

Yesterday I questioned the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services’ decision to uphold a win by Ben Rothwell after he tested positive for elevated TRT.  Dr. Johnny Benjamin was quick to identify a more important issue, the fact that a licence was issued in the first place. Rothwell was granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption … More Athletic Commissions Must Not Ignore Profound Brain Trauma

Is Ben Rothwell’s Elevated TRT Win Really a No Contest?

October 4, 2013

MMA Junkie broke the news that Ben Rothwell tested positive for elevated testosterone following his victory over Brandon Vera at UFC 164. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, which oversaw the event, provided an Athletic Commission’s equivalent of a slap on the wrist for this violation by issuing Rothwell an ‘administrative warning’. Perhaps more … More Is Ben Rothwell’s Elevated TRT Win Really a No Contest?

“The UFC Does Not Grant TUE’s” When Entering Unregulated Markets?

September 28, 2013

When the UFC enters markets that don’t have compulsive drug tests some questions spring to mind such as what, if any, performance enhancing drugs are outlawed for such shows?  Are Therapeutic Use Exemptions ever granted and if so who is in charge of granting these? The UFC’s latest event in Ontario provided an opportunity to … More “The UFC Does Not Grant TUE’s” When Entering Unregulated Markets?

With Tragedy At Hand, Weight Cut Reform Takes the Spotlight in MMA

September 27, 2013

Update October 7, 2013 – MMAJunkie just published an article with Dr Benjamin calling for specific weight cut reforms as follows: Multiple, official, random year-round weigh-ins to establish every fighter’s “normal” weight Fighters barred from competing in a weight class that’s lighter than 90 percent of their established normal weight Short-notice (less than 30 days) … More With Tragedy At Hand, Weight Cut Reform Takes the Spotlight in MMA

Professional Muay Thai and Kickboxing Will Remain Illegal in BC

September 26, 2013

When it comes to “Professional” combat sports, Section 83 of the Criminal Code makes them all illegal except a “boxing contest or mixed martial arts contest held in a province with the permission or under the authority of an athletic board, commission or similar body established by or under the authority of the province’s legislature … More Professional Muay Thai and Kickboxing Will Remain Illegal in BC