As was first reported by John Nash, the Mixed Martial Arts Fighter’s Association has approached Congressman (and former fighter) Markwayne Mullin to extend the protections professional boxers have been given through the Muhammad Ali Act to professional MMA. The Oklahoma politician is prepared to take on the cause and has recently been vocal about his belief … More Let’s Draft MMA’s “Muhammad Ali” Act
In the aftermath of an April 12, 2016 knockout loss by Mexican fighter Guillermo Herrera, who remains in a Canadian hospital dealing with the aftermath of a ruptured blood vessel in his brain, the World Boxing Counsel has issued a press release indicating they will no longer sanction bouts in Ontario, Canada citing safety concerns with … More WBC Boycotts Ontario – Sites Safety Concerns With Athletic Commission
Adding to this site’s summary of safety studies regarding combat sports, a recent literature review was published in this month’s Canadian Journal of Psychiatry addressing the link between adverse psychiatric consequences and adults who suffer concussions in sport. In the article, titled “Knowing What We Don’t Know: Long-Term Psychiatric Outcomes following Adult Concussions in Sports” the … More Study – Growing Evidence of Psychiatric Consequences Following Sport Concussion in Adults
In the latest voice calling for reform of rapid extreme weight cut practices in combative sports, the Journal of Sports Medicine published an argument suggesting that the World Anti Doping Agency ban include Rapid Extreme Weight Cutting as a ‘prohibited method’. The article, titled “It is Time to Ban Rapid Weight Loss from Combat Sports“ … More Should WADA ban Rapid Extreme Weight Cuts in Combat Sports?
Reasons for judgement were released this week by the United States District Court, W.D Kentucky, Lousiville with critical remarks about repeated requests for “enormous damage” requests in prosecutions involving UFC pay per view piracy. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc v. Hernandez) the Plaintiff sued the Defendant for displaying UFC 143 in a … More “Enormous Damage” Requests for UFC Piracy Criticized by Court
More details are coming to light about the recent turn of events between Conor McGregor and the UFC with the featherweight champion first announcing retirement, the UFC responding that he has been removed from UFC 200 for failing to cooperate with press obligations and that announced “retirement” has contractual implications. Today McGregor announced he is … More McGregor / UFC Rift and “Reasonable” Promotion
Update April 21, 2016 – Today Conor published a statement stating he is not retired and went on record noting this clarity was being made “for USADA and for the UFC and my contract stipulations” ______________________________________ In what can only be described as a crazy day in the world of MMA, UFC’s featherweight champion Conor McGregor … More Potential Regulatory and Contractual Consequences if McGregor’s ‘retirement’ is not sincere
Update May 19, 2016 – Circuit Judge Bobby Baldock upheld the $250 commercial piracy damage assessment over objections of the Plaintiff’s in reasons for judgement released this week. ________________________________ Adding to this site’s archived cases of UFC pay per view event piracy prosecutions, reasons for judgement were released this month by the United States District … More UFC PPV Piracy Damages Assessed Below Cost of Program
In my ongoing effort to document safety studies addressing combat sports, a recent study was published this month in the Saudi Journal of Sports Medicine seeking to find out the prevalence of injuries in national level boxers that occurred during the bout or training. In the study, titled Prevalence of injuries in competitive boxers: A retrospective … More Study – 61% Concussion Rate for National Boxers in 2 Year Period
Update November 16, 2106 – Today it was announced that Machida accepted a 18 month suspension with the reduction being due in part to his “prompt admission”. Update November 8, 2016 – Today it was announced that George Sullivan had his USADA suspension cut in half due in part to his self disclosure giving hope … More How Lyoto Machida May Cut his USADA Doping Ban in Half
Combat Sports Law 