Category: Uncategorized

Over 20 Fighters Reportedly Suspended in Falsified Bloodwork Scandal

November 22, 2017

Update November 28, 2017 – Today I spoke with Bernie Profato, the Ohio Athletic Commission’s Executive Director, who confirmed his office has been investigating numerous fighters for submitting falsified bloodwork.  Profato confirms a total 23 fighters have been suspended.  These include 21 amateur MMA fighters and 2 professional. Profato published the following list of fighters … More Over 20 Fighters Reportedly Suspended in Falsified Bloodwork Scandal

Fabricio Werdum Charged With Assault Following Boomerang Attack

November 16, 2017

Update December 14, 2017 – Today the charges were disposed of with Werdum being ordered to pay a $600 fine. ________________________________ After video surfaced of UFC fighter Fabricio Werdum throwing a boomerang at Colby Covington and a noted second altercation where Werdum reportedly punched Covington the UFC heavyweight has been charged with assault. The Australian Associated … More Fabricio Werdum Charged With Assault Following Boomerang Attack

CTV News Airs Three Part Investigative Series Into Tim Hague Death

November 15, 2017

Earlier this year boxer and MMA fighter Tim Hague died following a bout with Adam Braidwood.  The bout was a one sided affair with Hague being knocked down 3 times in the first round with an arguable 4th knockdown that the referee deemed a slip. In the second round Hague was dropped for a fourth time … More CTV News Airs Three Part Investigative Series Into Tim Hague Death

Bellator Files Letter Supporting Expansion of Ali Act to MMA

November 13, 2017

Last week the UFC sent Marc Ratner to Washington to testify in opposition of legislation aiming to expand the Muhammad Ali Act to mixed martial arts. (For background you can click here to read what the legislation will do). In an interesting twist, the UFC’s biggest US based promoter, Bellator MMA, filed a letter with … More Bellator Files Letter Supporting Expansion of Ali Act to MMA

What Congress Will Be Told About the Safety of Mixed Martial Arts

November 8, 2017

This week the Congressional Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection will hear from witnesses providing background information on the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in the context of debating whether to expand the Ali Act to the sport. Among the witnesses to be heard will be Dr. Kristen Dams-O’Connor, who is an Associate Professor of Rehabilitation … More What Congress Will Be Told About the Safety of Mixed Martial Arts

Zuffa Again Uses Copyright Act To Bolster Damages in Piracy Lawsuit

November 6, 2017

Last month an apparent new strategy was highlighted where the UFC’s parent company, Zuffa LLC, is using the Copyright Act to increase damages in piracy prosecutions.  A second judgement was recently published utilizing this same strategy. In the recent case (Zuffa, LLC v. Fizion Cafe) the Defendant displayed UFC 205 without paying the commercial sub … More Zuffa Again Uses Copyright Act To Bolster Damages in Piracy Lawsuit

UFC 201 Piracy Leads to $30,000 Damage Award

October 29, 2017

In the latest piracy prosecution involving a UFC Pay Per View broadcast reasons for judgement were published by the US District Court, D. South Carolina, Columbia Division, assessing damages of $30,000. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. Collective Minds, LLC) the Defendants displayed UFC 201 at a commercial establishment without paying the commercial … More UFC 201 Piracy Leads to $30,000 Damage Award

Zuffa Uses Copyright Act To Increase Damages Against PPV Piracy

October 28, 2017

Normally when UFC Pay Per View programs are commercially pirated lawsuits are brought by the UFC’s commercial distributor and damages are sought for statutory harm for satellite or cable theft. In an interesting twist to this norm, recent reasons for judgement were released involving a prosecution by Zuffa as the Plaintiff also seeking damages for … More Zuffa Uses Copyright Act To Increase Damages Against PPV Piracy

New York Adopts Formal Instant Replay Policy for MMA

October 27, 2017

The New York State Athletic Commission has formally adopted an Instant Replay Policy for Mixed Martial Arts contests in the State. The New York Policy is consistent with the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports policy on instant replay passed at the associations 2017 annual conference. Earlier this month  Commission Bulletin 2017-3 was released by the … More New York Adopts Formal Instant Replay Policy for MMA

Michael Bisping and UFC Sued For Alleged Assault

October 25, 2017

Update June 12, 2019 – This week MMAJunkie reports that this lawsuit has been dismissed. ________________________________________________ As first reported by TMZ UFC Middleweight champion Micheal Bisping is being sued along with a host of other defendants for an alleged assault involving a 19 year old Plaintiff. The Plaintiff alleges that after he accidentally used weights … More Michael Bisping and UFC Sued For Alleged Assault