It is well understood that the UFC-USADA custom tailored anti-doping policy (“ADP”) generally prohibits Intravenous Infusions. What is not quite as well understood are the exceptions to this rule and the need to comply with overlapping regulatory requirements. After UFC 209 it was revealed that Alistair Overeem used an IV prior to his bout against … More Legal Breakdown of Alistair Overeem’s UFC 209 IV Use
An interesting article was published in the latest edition of the International Journal of Pathology and Clinical Research diagnosing what is believed to be the first known case of an individual having Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy who did not have a history of concussions. In the article, titled “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy-like Neuropathological Findings Without a History … More Adding to Complexity – CTE Found in Patient With “the Absence of any Known Head Injury”
Earlier this year Mark Hunt sued UFC parent company Zuffa, Dana White and Brock Lesnar alleging a host of causes of action namely Unlawful Racketeering in violation of Federal law Unlawful Racketeering in violation of Nevada state law Fraud Obtaining Hunt’s Services (to fight Lesnar) under false pretenses Breach of Contract Breach of Covenant of … More UFC – Mark Hunt Doping Lawsuit “Fatally Defective”
Today I had the pleasure of appearing on Calgary’s News Talk 770 with Rob Breakenridge where we discussed Quebec shutting down amateur Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions as illegal ‘prize fights‘ along with a host of other legal issues in Canadian combat sports. You can find the full interview here. For those visiting for the first … More Talking Illegal “Prizefighting” in Canada With Rob Breakenridge
Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies a recent study was published at the University of Cambridge discussing the efficacy of MRI and Neuropsychological testing to detect early signs of brain damage in amateur boxers. In the study, titled “Advanced magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological assessment for detecting brain injury in a prospective cohort … More Study – MRI and Neuropsychological Testing “Could Not Detect any Evidence of Brain Injury”in Boxers
Update February 26, 2017 – Today, in response to the Province’s position, the Canadian Jiu Jitsu Championships have been cancelled. Canada National Pro Jiu Jitsu reported as follows on their Facebook page – After careful consideration, the Canada Pro Jiu-Jitsu committee and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation has decided to postpone the Canada Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championships … More Quebec Declares Amateur BJJ Events Illegal Under the Criminal Code
Update March 10, 2017 – Zuffa have now responded to this motion. Their full argument of why Bellator should be forced to open their books can be found here – Zuffa Opposition to Bellator Motion to Quash _________________________________________ Never let a good crisis go to waste! This Winston Churchill strategy appears to be to the UFC’s liking. The … More Scott Coker – UFC Opening Bellator’s Books Would Cause “Grave Harm”
Reasons for judgement were released last week in the ongoing anti-trust lawsuit against UFC parent company Zuffa ordering disclosure of various documents that “contain Zuffa’s negotiating positions and business strategies and decisionmaking.” In the recent judgement (Le v. Zuffa) Zuffa tried to hold back 12 documents from production arguing they were subject to attorney-client privilege. The … More UFC Forced To Disclose Documents Showing Negotiating Business Strategies in Anti Trust Suit
Update February 21, 2017 – Today Ryan Madden, Communications Manager for USADA, was kind enough to reply to both questions posed below. He elaborated on the retroactive TUE standard in place for USADA and further confirmed that Justino did not initially disclose her use of Spironolactone to USADA’s doping control official when collecting her sample. … More Two Questions from “Cyborg’s” Retroactive UFC/USADA TUE
Today USADA published a press release advising of changes to the UFC/USADA anti-doping policy which come into force in April, 2017. The new policy can be found here. USADA summarized the changes as follows: Policy Changes 2.1.5 – Limited Conditions for No Violation In the event an Athlete entering the Program voluntarily and promptly discloses … More UFC/USADA Update Anti Doping Policy
Combat Sports Law 