This week at the Association of Boxing Commissions 37th Annual Conference changes were made to MMA’s unified rules. Specifically the judging criteria were overhauled to have the language more accurately reflect current practices. The main highlight can be summarized in one word – damage. The old version of the rules shied away from that word … More Damage! Brand New MMA Judging Criteria Approved
This week news broke that the protections professional boxers enjoy in the US under the Ali Act are under serious threat with the introduction of the Ali “Revival” Act. You can click here for some background on this topic. Today Patrick English, a US attorney well versed in the legalities of professional boxing, penned an … More Lawyer Patrick English – Ali Revival Act a “Betrayal”
Critics of open scoring in mixed martial arts often point to the fact fighters that know they are winning will use that knowledge to coast to victory which will lead to boring fights. However data from jurisdictions that use open scoring do not support this view. Further data has now been published in a study … More Study – MMA Fighters Don’t “Coast” To Victory When Knowing They’re Ahead
Update – May 6, 2026 – Today the BC Court of Appeal released reasons for judgement allowing a government appeal on this case finding that SFU’s claims, as plead, do not give rise to a duty of care. However, depending on how the evidence developed, the Court left the door open for SFU to bring … More Negligence Allegations Against BC Athletic Commission Can be Tested in Court
That’s a scary quote that should be a wake up call to every professional boxer in the United States. In short the Ali Act gives professional boxers protection from exploitative contracts, lets them open the books on promoter revenues, keeps a firewall between managers and promoters and prohibits promoters from monopolizing titles so elite fighters … More “UFC/TKO is requesting an amendment change to the Ali Act”
Many jurisdictions require fighters to complete a pre bout medical questionnaire prior to competing in combat sports. Often these questionnaires are filled out under penalty of perjury. Nevada is one such jurisdiction. Fighters often lie on these forms as injuries are rampant and disclosure could derail a bout and payday. Despite frequent lies there are … More Nevada Hands Out Suspensions in Aftermath of MMA “Insider” Betting Scandal
The combat sports community, one where brain health knowledge is crucial given the inherent risks of the sports, lacks adequate awareness according to several studies. The latest study exploring this topic was published this month focussing on youth karate athletes. In the study, titled Concussion history and knowledge among top-level youth karate athletes, the authors … More Study – Significant Concussion Ignorance Among Youth Karate Athletes
Yes I actually wrote that headline. I guess this is what I’m doing with my law degree now… Let’s get in to it. Earlier this year the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports voted to update the Unified Rules of MMA. The 12-6 elbow was removed as a foul. In an unexpected turn of … More Is the 12-6 Elbow to the butthole legal?
Alberta is a total outlier when it comes to combat sports regulation. Throughout all of CAnada and the US combat sports are overseen by Provincial, State or Tribal commissions. Alberta, however, does not have a provincial commission and instead allows municipalities to oversee these sports. In 2017 former UFC athlete Tim Hague died following a … More Judge Recommends Alberta Scrap City Athletic Commissions and Move to Province Wide Model
Two noteworthy regulatory developments took place today in Nevada. First Nevada removed cannabis as a banned substance for combat sports athletes. Second Nevada is preparing to formally adopt the latest Unified Rules of MMA. These removed the 12-6 elbow strike as a foul and also changed the definition of ‘grounded’ fighter expanding the situations where … More Nevada Commission Removes Cannabis as Banned Substance, Gears Up For New Unified Rules
