A recent decision of interest was published earlier this month by the US National Labor Relations Board. It involved soccer referees but has valuable lessons for UFC fighters as well. In the recent case the Professional Soccer Referees Association petitioned to represent certain lower league officials, basically those from feeder leagues, into Major League Soccer. … More Soccer Referee Union Ruling Has Valuable Lessons for UFC Fighters Considering Organizing

In recent years the Kansas Athletic Commission took the lead and approved open scoring in combat sports. Following this they compiled data dispelling many myths raised by opponents of the transparent system. Today the Colorado Office of Combative Sports passed a policy proposal bringing open scoring to the State. I reached out to Tony Cummings, … More Colorado Approves Open Scoring in Combat Sports

Update October 5, 2021 – Today the ABC Medical Committee released the below critical comments on the quality of regulation in BKB in the United States ABC MEDICAL COMMITTEE Statement Regarding BARE KNUCKLE BOXING DEATHUncasville, CT – Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) has been gaining in popularity across parts of the United States. Since 2018, early … More Bare Knuckle Boxing Has First Reported Death in the Sport’s Regulated Era

In 2014 I started keeping a list of fighters that were injured (and even died) from rapid extreme weight cuts. In 2016 I stood up before the entire ABC convention in Las Vegas and read North American regulators the list so they cannot feign ignorance. Nothing has changed. In 2019 UFC fighter Aspen Ladd struggled … More Another UFC Fighter Misses Weight Looking Ill on the Scales. Will Regulators Act?

As first reported by Conduct Detrimental, Mark Hunt’s appeal in his doping lawsuit against the UFC has been revived. By way of background Mark Hunt fought and lost to Brock Lesnar in 2017. Prior to the bout the UFC waived their normal doping protocols for Lesnar as an athlete (re)joining the promotion. After the bout … More Appeal Breathes New Life Into Mark Hunt UFC Doping Lawsuit

OK, this post is not law related but Roxanne Modaferri (who combatsportslaw had the pleasure of sponsoring a few times over the years during her run in InvictaFC) is about to set an MMA record. With her upcoming appearance at UFC 266 she will tie the record for most professional MMA bouts in woman’s history. … More Roxanne “The Record Breaker” Modafferi!

Vitor Belfort is old. Evander Holyfield is much older. After a bout between Belfort and Oscar De La Hoya fell through because the latter came down with Covid-19 the promoter of the foiled bout suggested Evander Holyfield as a replacement. California State Athletic Commission Executive Director Andy Foster advised me that “I was not agreeable … More Let’s Talk Florida Licensing Standards And Holyfield vs Belfort

Further Update September 7, 2021 – VADA themselves have now come out with public comment in wake of this scandal noting that their prohibited list bans certain stimulants at all times because “stimulants can enhance performance in ways that include, but are not limited to, increased metabolic rate, power, and strength. They decrease fatigue, aid … More Let’s Talk Oscar Valdez, VADA, WADA and the WBC “Clean Boxing” Program

For years the Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association (MMAFA) has been lobbying Congress to bring the Ali Act to MMA. For those unfamiliar with the Act it sets certain standards for professional boxing across the US. Most noteworthy is it prevents promoters from controlling their own titles and gives rank and title as property rights … More US Athletic Commissioner Calls For Ali Act To Be Brought to MMA

Last week I reported that Colorado became the first US State Athletic Commission to approve the ruleset used by One Championship in Mixed Martial Arts which includes the use of knees to the head of grounded opponents. I made a further open records request to the State to obtain a copy of the full ruleset … More Full Colorado Approved “One Championship Global Ruleset”