In Canada the Criminal Code makes all ‘prize fights’ (a broadly defined term that can even capture light contact and grappling events) illegal by default except amateur combat sports that are “on the programme of the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee“ The Criminal Code then gives individual Provinces the ability to change … More BC Overhauls Combat Sports Regulation
There is room for improvement when it comes to appeal rights in combat sports. In most jurisdictions fighters can only successfully appeal a bout result if they could prove there was collusion (ie crooked officiating), the scorekeeper made a mathematical error in adding up the judges scores, or there was an error in interpreting the … More Colorado Looking At Expanded Fighter Appeal Rights
Litigation has probably been the best tool to shed light on contract terms of various MMA promotions. Recently a PFL contract made its way into the public sphere as a result of this (HT to Elthon Costa for first breaking this news). By way of background a fighter and the promotion were involved in a … More Shedding Light on PFL Contract Terms
In a court filing this week in the UFC antitrust lawsuit it was revealed that not a single eligible fighter asked to be removed from the lawsuit. By way of context several fighters started a proposed class action against the UFC arguing they are operating an unlawful monopsony which economically exploits fighters. The lawsuit was certified … More Zero Eligible UFC Fighters Asked To Opt Out of Class Action Lawsuit
Yesterday the ABC’s MMA Rules Committee met and voted to address two controversial aspects of the Unified Rules of MMA. The 12-6 elbow foul and the definition of grounded fighter. The straight up to down elbow is a longstanding foul since the initial creation of the unified rules in New Jersey over 20 years ago. Recently … More MMA Rules Committee Votes to Remove 12-6 Elbow As Foul and Redefine “Grounded” Fighters
Next week the Association of Boxing Commissions MMA Rules Committee will be discussing removing the 12-6 elbow as a foul and also further clarifying the definition of a grounded fighter. Recently data has been published demonstrating the 12-6 elbow is no more forceful than other legal elbows, whether from a standing or grounded position such … More MMA Rules Committee To Discuss Removing 12-6 Elbow Foul and Redefining “Grounded” Fighter
The now certified class action anti trust lawsuit against the UFC is getting ever closer to trial presently scheduled in April, 2024. This week one of the last remaining hurdles was removed. The UFC brought a motion for summary judgment which sought to dispose of the case in their favor prior to trial. Judge Boulware denied the … More UFC Motion For Summary Judgement Denied in Antitrust Lawsuit
In 2019 Ontario passed a new Combative Sports Act into law. The legislation allows the overhaul of how combat sports are regulated in the Province. The law, however, has yet to come into force which will happen “on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor“. Despite this very long passage of time it … More Ontario Announces New “Combat Sports Advisory Council”
A profound spinal cord injury and a profound brain injury. Two tragic outcomes in the combat sports community in recent weeks. This week Leah McCourt shared that MMA fighter Ryan Curtis suffered a severe spinal cord injury in training. In addition to the spinal cord injury he suffered “a broken back, broken neck and dislocated spine”. A … More Combat Sports Struck With Two Tragedies in Recent Weeks
This month the UFC’s new anti-doping policy has come into force. One area worth paying attention to is how new or returning athletes that admit to, or were known to be doping are treated under the policy. And whether overseeing Athletic Commissions treat them differently as the UFC’s in house anti-doping provisions are not binding on … More Let’s Talk Admitted Doping for New or Returning Athletes to the UFC
Combat Sports Law 