Now that BC has a framework in place for both professional and amateur MMA what happens if an unlicensed event is held? What penalties can be imposed? There are different options depending on whether the event is amateur or professional. If an illegal amateur MMA event is hosted (ie – one that does not have … More The Many Consequences for Illegal MMA in BC
Professional and amateur MMA can now be legally hosted in Canada so long as appropriate local laws are passed. To this end other Canadian jurisdictions can take a page from British Columbia when it comes to regulating combat sports in the post Bill S-209 world. BC now has the clearest Province wide legal framework for … More BC Sets the Canadian Standard For Legal Pro/Am MMA Events
Yesterday it was announced that BC has legalized amateur MMA in addition to a host of other amateur combat sports. As the legality of combat sports vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction in Canada there is, at this stage, no set of unified rules in place for the sport. I have been in touch with … More BC Provisionally Adopts ABC’s Rules For Amateur MMA
The BC Government has just passed Order in Council 2013-342 which expands the BC Athletic Commissioner’s powers to regulate all amateur MMA, kickboxing, pankration and Muay Thai events. In addition to the BCAC’s powers to regulate pro boxing and MMA, they will apparently now also regulate “any amateur boxing that occurs at a professional boxing or … More BC Legalizes Amateur MMA and Other Non-IOC Combat Sports
Update August 14, 2013 – the plans discussed below have gone through and will apparently also include pro MMA. You can click here for details ______________________________________________________________________ As previously discussed, Canadian federal law designates amateur combat sports ”in the programme of the International Olympic Committee” legal by default. These include Boxing, Wrestling, Judo and Tae Kwon Do. … More Saskatchewan To Legalize Amateur MMA and Other Combat Sports?
Breaking down the legality of MMA in Canada on a Province by Province basis is an interesting exercise given the strange legislative patchwork various Provinces put together trying to get around the pre Bill S-209 version of the Criminal Code. Today I address the legality of MMA, both professional and amateur, in Nova Scotia. As … More A Legal Breakdown of MMA In Nova Scotia (And Why Sword Fighting Is Boxing in NS!)
As recently reported, it is rumored that the BC Government is considering regulating amateur boxing along with other combat sports on the programme of the IOC. Not all stakeholders are pleased with this development. Canadian Member of Parliament Murray Rankin is among those. Murray recently cautioned BC’s Minister of Sport about their rumored plans. … More Victoria MP Murray Rankin Cautions BC Government About Regulating Amateur Boxing and Wrestling
As previously discussed, the now overhauled section 83 of the Criminal Code does not in and of itself make MMA legal across Canada, it allows Provinces to make it legal on a Province by Province basis. The default is the sport remains illegal. It requires Provincial regulation. This needs to happen for both professional and amateur … More More Fallout on the Canadian Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Scene – Grande Prairie Cancels AMMA Events
The AFC’s latest event is scheduled to take place on July 12 in Calgary. Last month Top MMA News reported that the event was scheduled to host a handful of amateur fights on the card. As previously discussed, Calgary currently lacks a proper framework to host amateur MMA bouts. I have it on good authority … More Calgary Pulls The Plug For Amateur MMA At AFC Stampede Fight Night
Changes are coming soon in the BC amateur MMA/combat sports landscape as a result of the Bill S-209 overhaul. I have been in touch with a few commissioners / stakeholders in the MMA community from different Provinces over the past month and there appears to be some hesitation on the government front hoping to “get … More Amateur MMA / Combat Sports in BC Headed for a Mixed Bag of Regulation?
Combat Sports Law 