Today USADA published a press release advising of changes to the UFC/USADA anti-doping policy which come into force in April, 2017. The new policy can be found here. USADA summarized the changes as follows: Policy Changes 2.1.5 – Limited Conditions for No Violation In the event an Athlete entering the Program voluntarily and promptly discloses … More UFC/USADA Update Anti Doping Policy

Today the British Columbia Athletic Commission released a position paper confirming that all of the changes to the unified rules adopted by the ABC at the 2016 convention are not being adopted. The paper also suggests these will not likely be adopted in much of Canada noting “as a member of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Athletic Commission, BCAC … More BC Athletic Commission Not Adopting All Changes to MMA’s “Unified Rules”

Update February 28, 2017 – The NYSAC dismissed Holm’s appeal _________________________________ As first reported by MMAFighting, Holly Holm is appealing her UFC 208 loss. In short Holm argues that she was repeatedly fouled by late blows and the referee erred in failing to deduct points from her opponent. The issue Holm will face is the deduction … More Holly Holm Appeals UFC 208 Loss

Update February 16, 2017 – Today Marc Raimondi reports that GSP is indeed not currently in the USADA testing pool. Also noteworthy are the UFC/USADA’s updates to the anti doping policy revealed today which could shelf GSP for up to 6 months if his return is not finalized before April 1 absent the UFC playing … More GSP Reportedly Back – Will USADA Testing Sideline him for 4 Months?

After a scheduled heavyweight world title bout between Alexander Povetkin and Deontay Wilder was cancelled due to Povetkin testing positive for Meldonium the parties turned to the judiciary. ESPN reports that a jury in US Federal Court took just over 30 minutes to decide that Povetkin indeed ingested Meldonium after it became a banned substance … More US Jury finds Povetkin Used Meldonium Clearing Path for $5 Million Judgement

(Image via the UG) I have written many times that amateur combative sports not on the “programme of the International Olympic Committee” are illegal in Canada unless Provinces pass laws specifying otherwise pursuant to the powers given to them by s. 83 of the Criminal Code. Despite this reality some Provinces have failed to enact … More Quebec Government Confirms Amateur Muay Thai / Kickboxing / MMA Illegal

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

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

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