In boxing and other combat sports head gear does not prevent concussions. Head gear does not reduce concussions. At best head gear is neutral for concussions. More realistically head gear increases concussions. The science says so. Among the speculated reasons are it makes the head a bigger target so its hit more frequently, reduces field … More Let’s Talk Olympic Boxing, Brain Trauma and Sexism

In the latest development in the ever shifting combat sports regulatory landscape, this week the Kansas athletic commission has introduced ‘champions rules’ for older (or possibly those deemed of lesser skill) MMA fighters. The ruleset will make its debut this weekend with a bout scheduled between a 38 year old and and 52 year old … More Kansas Introduces “Champions Rules” For Older MMA Fighters

Let’s talk seconds in combat sports. Also known as cornermen. The men and women who act as a last line of defence in boxing, mixed martial arts and other full contact combative sports where brain trauma is a looming reality. Texas has chosen to ‘deregulate’ this job. Starting September 1, 2021 anyone can be a … More Texas “Deregulates” Combat Sports Seconds

Update July 22, 2021 – Today Colorado’s Office of Combative Sports replied to my open records request. They confirm that One Championship rules have been approved in the State which indeed clear the way for the promoter to hold an event with knees to a grounded opponent. Below is the full reply of the commission’s … More One Championship (And Knees To Grounded Opponents) Coming to Colorado?

Earlier this month Nevada and Kansas became the latest jurisdictions to either remove or stop testing for marijuana metabolites as banned substances in combat sports. Today the Nevada State Athletic Commission provided me with a copy of an internal memorandum explaining their legal authority and reasoning behind this decision. The memo, authorized by Nevada’s Senior … More Nevada Outlines Legal Reasoning For Removing Cannabis From Banned Substances

Today the Nevada Athletic Commission removed marijuana from its list of banned substances. Following the path blazed by other commissions which started with the precedent set by medical user and advocate Elias Theodorou in British Columbia, the commission is moving to an impairment test. If a fighter is impaired they cannot compete. Other than that … More Nevada and Kansas Remove Marijuana as PED Moving to Impairment as Sole Concern

This week I had the pleasure of making a guest appearance on Dr. Yared Vazquez’s YouTube channel where we discussed the viral Joe Schilling bar knockout of another patron. We tackle some of the legal, medical and most importantly practical issues at play. Enjoy!

In the UFC antitrust lawsuit that has been before the courts for the better part of a decade the presiding judge indicated that class certification would likely be granted for professional mixed martial artists who competed in one or more live professional UFC-promoted MMA bouts taking place or broadcast in the United States from December … More Kajan Johnson and C.B. Dollaway Look to Add Potentially $1 Billion of Further UFC Antitrust Damages

A few years back I started documenting the legality of bare knuckle boxing which was first legalized by a State athletic commission in 2019 and had several other jurisdictions follow suit all with their own unique legal and regulatory framework. Bare knuckle mixed martial arts is now making a similar comeback and appears to be … More Documenting the Legality of Bare Knuckle Mixed Martial Arts

CombatSportsLaw was proud to once again sponsor up and coming pro MMA Fighter Serena DeJesus! DeJesus headlined this past weekend’s card promoted by Fusion Fight League and secured a victory over her UFC veteran opponent Elizabeth Phillips. Congratulations Serena! Serena is the first professional female MMA fighter diagnosed with autism. She is an inspiration to … More Congratulations Serena DeJesus!