This week UFC fighter Jon Jones had his mixed martial arts licence revoked by the California State Athletic Commission and was further fined $205,000 for competing with Turinabol in his system at UFC 214. These penalties were just some in a series of possible consequences Jones is facing for the infraction.  The most significant are … More What The Yadav Case Can Teach Us About Jon Jones’ Upcoming USADA Fate

This weekend Josh Emmett lost his headlining bout to Jeremy Stephens at UFC Fight Night Orlando The loss came with some controversy where it appears Emmett was struck with at least a glancing knee by Stephens while grounded.  This all unfolded in the midst of what was ultimately the bout ending sequence. Emmett announced his … More Why Josh Emmett’s Appeal At Least Has a Fighting Chance

There is little debate that UFC fighters would enjoy benefits from forming a meaningful union or players association.  The benefits are so obvious that the UFC’s own lawyers, in court filings, essentially mocked fighters for their low pay arguing that absent a union the UFC’s roster should not expect a revenue split similar to that … More Are UFC Fighter Managers Breaching Their Fiduciary Duty In Not Supporting Unionization Efforts?

As first reported by Kurt Emhoff at boxingesq.com, reasons for judgement were recently published by the US District Court, Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division commenting on whether a boxer under a promotional agreement is a laboror or employee.  The judgement is narrow in scope focussing on provisions in a Florida Long-Arm statute but are … More Court Finds Professional Boxer Under Promotional Contract is Neither an “Employee” or “Laborer”

As recently discussed, there have been varying efforts over the years to organize UFC and other professional MMA fighters.  Project Spearhead is the latest to enter the fray. The UFC has taken time over the years trying to persuade fighters that unionization is not in the fighters interest.  In a candid admission, however, Zuffa’s own … More UFC’s Own Lawyers State Fighters Should Only Expect a High Revenue Share If They “Also Had a Union”.

Be it a union or an athletes association, there have been varying efforts over the years to organize UFC and other professional MMA fighters.  None have proven successful. The latest to enter this difficult landscape is Project Spearhead.  The effort is headed by labor attorney Lucas Middlebrook and MMA fighter Leslie Smith who is named … More “Project Spearhead” Launched in Effort to Organize UFC Fighters

In 2016 Portuguese fighter Joao Carvalho died due to head trauma following a bout with Charlie Ward following a third round TKO loss.  At the time he became the 14th addition to MMA’s modern fatality list. The bout took place in Dublin Ireland under the promotion Total Extreme Fighting.  It was a unregulated bout with the promoter reportedly … More Following Fighter Death Irish Inquest Calls for National Governing Body for MMA

CTE rocked the professional sports world at the highest level with the NFL agreeing to a nearly $1 billion dollar settlement for the ravages of concussions on its players. The litigation focused on allegations of fraud and cover ups when it came to the reality of head trauma in the league.  As the science behind … More Is CTE a Ticking Time Bomb For Martial Arts Gyms?