Last year the UFC controversially granted Brock Lesnar an exemption to the usual rule that returning athletes be in the US Anti Doping Agency’s testing pool for at least 4 months prior to competing.  Lesnar subsequently failed both an in and out of competition test surrounding UFC 200 and this created a host of legal consequences … More UFC Grants Angela Hill Waiver from 4 Month USADA Testing Period

Update January 27, 2017 – this week Missouri responded to an appeal of Haga and unfortunately refused to overturn the result leaving judicial review as the only remaining legal remedy _____________________________________ Tonight Celine Haga choked her opponent unconscious at Invicta 21 as her bout came to an end but instead of being declared the winner … More Celine Haga Controversy and Legal Remedy

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

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

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

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

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?

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