Interesting data was shared by Anthony Cummings, the Director of Colorado Combative Sports Commission, in a regulatory hearing this week. Anthony notes that in 2021 their commission implemented continuing education for officials. Something that is not the industry norm. Split decisions (decisions where officials disagree on who the bout winner was) were drastically reduced as … More Data – Continuing Judge Education Drastically Improves Consistency in MMA and Boxing

In the aftermath of Tim Hague’s tragic death during a boxing bout in Edmonton the City ‘paused’ all combat sports events. This ‘pause’ has now been lifted. Interestingly they are only green lighting large scale shows with promoters needing to secure a venue with a capacity of at least 5,000. A strange stipulation hoping to … More Edmonton Lifts “Pause” for “Large Scale” Combat Sports

Nate Diaz is scheduled to box Jake Paul this summer in Texas. The fighters have agreed to VADA anti-doping testing. VADA is a private anti doping contractor who largely tests for the substances banned by the World Anti Doping Agency. With one key exception. They don’t test for cannabis. Texas, like any US State, has … More Let’s Talk Nate Diaz vs Jake Paul, VADA, Texas and Cannabis

Two years ago decorated kickboxer Joe Schilling knocked out a patron named Baloba at a bar. He was sued. He claimed self defence. Below is the footage which speaks for itself. Schilling argued he believed he was about to be attacked and used force to defend himself. The court agreed finding that he was protected … More Joe Schilling Beats Assault Lawsuit Using Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” Law

One of the most promising regulatory trends in the last year are numerous State, Tribal and Provincial athletic commissions sharing key information with the industry about concussion and CTE which are some of the biggest occupational hazards professional fighters face. It makes perfect sense that regulators, who are in charge of health and safety issues, share this … More South Carolina Athletic Commission Shares CTE and Concussion Information With Fighter Community!

While there is some data suggesting brain injury rates and severity may be lower in MMA than in boxing, there is no reason to believe that the brain rattling from MMA does not lead to the disease. There is a growing list of proven and suspected cases of CTE in former MMA athletes. Researchers have … More MMA Legend Frank Shamrock Pledges Brain For CTE Research

One of the most promising regulatory trends in the last year are numerous State, Tribal and Provincial athletic commissions sharing key information with the industry about concussion and CTE which are some of the biggest occupational hazards professonal fighters face. It makes perfect sense that regulators, who are in charge of health and safety issues, … More Wyoming Latest Commission To Share CTE and Concussion Information with Fighters

I’ve spent a lot of time on this site discussing the standard of care of combat sports coaches and the possibility of negligence lawsuits.  This week headlines broke illustrating such concerns are not merely academic.  A California based brazilian jiu jitsu club was ordered to pay substantial damages to an injured student following jury findings of … More Jiu Jitsu Club Ordered to Pay Paralyzed Student $46 Million in Damages For Negligence

In the near 30 year history of modern Mixed Martial Arts last night may have given the sport the most neglectful late stoppage involving a grappling exchange. The headlining bout for Fury FC 76 ended in submission via armbar. It took place in San Antonio, Texas. Gianni Vasquez was strangled unconscious in a triangle. The referee … More Texas Appears Indifferent to Neglectful MMA Bout Stoppage

This week Conor McGregor confirmed he is not in USADA’s anti-doping testing pool but that he is in constant communication with USADA and all he has to do is provide two negative samples and he is cleared to return. USADA replied noting they have no meeting scheduled with Conor and generally returning athletes must be … More Conor McGregor UFC Return and USADA Anti-Doping Waivers