Mark Hunt Sues UFC / Lesnar Alleging Doping Fraud Conspiracy

Late last year Mark Hunt threatened to sue the UFC and Brock Lesnar after the high profile fighter tested positive for banned substances following UFC 200.  He even suggested racketeering allegations.  Today Hunt made good on his promise suing Zuffa, Lesnar, and Dana White in Federal Court. The full court filing can be found here … More Mark Hunt Sues UFC / Lesnar Alleging Doping Fraud Conspiracy

Nevada Considers Removing Marijuana Ban from Combat Sports

Update January 13, 2017 – The meeting has now taken place and the NAC unanimously voted in support of item 10 ______________________________________________ Arguably no substance has resulted in more controversial athletic commission disciplinary decisions than marijuana.  Sober fighters testing positive for marijuana metabolites which could have been consumed many days prior to competition have been … More Nevada Considers Removing Marijuana Ban from Combat Sports

California State AC Releases Series of Educational Fighter Health Videos

The California State Athletic Commission has taken a step which has received little publicity but is deserving of attention by the combative sports community.  They have produced a series of videos focusing on fighter health and safety issues, namely acute traumatic brain injury, cumulative concussions and dangers of dehydration.  With CTE being a potential reality … More California State AC Releases Series of Educational Fighter Health Videos

2017 – The Year of MMA’s “Dis-unified” Rules

At UFC 207 Time Means landed illegal knees to the head of a grounded opponent resulting in a no-contest.  Following the bout Means gave an interview where he demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of the definition of being grounded.  Under the so called ‘unified’ rules of MMA these misunderstandings should not exist as the definition has … More 2017 – The Year of MMA’s “Dis-unified” Rules

Nevada Athletic Commission Dismisses Jake Ellenberger Foot Wedging TKO Appeal

Earlier this month Jake Ellenberger lost a bout in a bizarre fashion.  While competing on the UFC TUF 24 finale Ellenberger slipped and his left foot wedged between the mat and the bottom fence..  His opponent proceeded to (legally) reign down strikes until referee Herb Dean called timeout.  He inquired if this could be considered an equipment failure, and … More Nevada Athletic Commission Dismisses Jake Ellenberger Foot Wedging TKO Appeal

Can USADA Consider Josh Barnett’s Past Doping When Punishing Him?

This week it was announced that UFC heavyweight Josh failed an out-of-competition drug test administered by USADA on December 9, 2016. With this news Barnett may gain the unenviable distinction of earning the most doping failures in MMA history testing positive after UFC 34, then testing positive for Boldenone, Nandrolone and Fluoxymesterone after UFC 36 … More Can USADA Consider Josh Barnett’s Past Doping When Punishing Him?

Conor McGregor – Nevada Commission “Clearly Erroneous” In Their Actions

Update – McGregor and the NSAC have reached a settlement with his fine being reduced to $25,000 and to complete 25 hours of community service _____________________________ Judicial Review is the legal tool available to fighters who feel wronged by the actions of an Athletic Commission. Conor McGregor, who after a press conference incident was fined … More Conor McGregor – Nevada Commission “Clearly Erroneous” In Their Actions

Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino Notified of Potential Doping Violation

Update February 17, 2017 – Today USADA ‘cleared’ Justino from the alleged violation granting her a retroactive TUE for physician prescribed Spironolactone.  The press released noted as follows: In the case of Justino, the application for a TUE was granted because the athlete had an unequivocally diagnosed chronic medical condition for which the use of Spironolactone … More Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino Notified of Potential Doping Violation

John McCarthy Explains MMA’s Updated “Unified Rules”

In August 2016 members of the Association of Boxing Commissions overwhelmingly voted in support to amend MMA’s so called ‘unified rules’. The ABC aimed for a timeline for the new rules to come into force on January 1, 2017. While the consensus for change was near unanimous the vote itself was not binding on any … More John McCarthy Explains MMA’s Updated “Unified Rules”

Study “Low Risk of Concussions in Top-Level Karate Competition”

Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies a recent study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine addressing head injury rates in high level karate competitions. In the study, titled “Low Risk of Concussions in Top Level Karate Competitions” the authors reviewed injuries that took place in 4 consecutive karate world championships. … More Study “Low Risk of Concussions in Top-Level Karate Competition”