Update April 14, 2016 – Today New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law making professional MMA finally legal in the Empire State. The first legal event will be able to be hosted as early as September 1, 2016 _____________________________________ Bill A02604 is set to be voted on by the New York State … More The Nuts and Bolts of New York’s Soon to be Passed MMA Law
Storied athlete Herschel Walker appeared on this week’s episode of John McCarthy and Sean Wheelock’s “Let’s Get it On” Podcast. Among the topics covered were Walker’s views on the future of the sport where he voiced strong support for the need of a fighters union. McCarthy asked “What do want to see from the sport. What … More Herschel Walker – MMA Fighters Need to Have a Union
Dehydration brought on by rapid extreme weight cut practices has led to well documented injuries and death in combat sports. Despite this combat sport athletes continue these practices under the impression that they lead to competitive advantage. A recent study was published unfortunately bolstering these beliefs finding that the advantage of competing in a lower … More Study – Olympic Combat Sports Athletes, Rapid Weight Cuts and Perfomance
Update June 7, 2016 – Mitrione’s appeal was dismissed today by the MSAC. For appeals like this to have any chance of success statutory overhaul is needed as commissions need to work within the statutory parameters of the rules and regulations creating and defining their authority. You can watch the full hearing here: ___________________________________ Earlier … More Mitrione’s Eye Poke Appeal and a Problem With Jurisdiction
MMAJunkie’s Steven Marrocco obtained a full copy of Ken Shamrock’s Complaint filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation arguing that his loss against Royce Gracie at Bellator 149 should be overturned. In short the complaint alleges that Gracie struck Shamrock with an illegal low blow which should have resulted in disqualification, or alternatively, … More Shamrock Texas Athletic Commission Complaint and Legislative Silence
As first reported by MiddleEasy, it appears that the Colorado State Boxing Commission sanctioned a Mixed Martial Arts bout between a 68 year old and a 24 year old. The bout, which was by no means competitive, can be viewed at the following link. Colorado’s rules require that “disparity in age” be taken into account when … More “Disparity in Age” And Combat Sports Licencing
When a grown man chooses to compete in MMA and is over-matched, under-trained and de-conditioned they have to take personal responsibility for their choices. If they have to resort to rapid extreme weight cut practices to make their contracted weight they again have to accept accountability for harm that comes from their actions. But personal … More Let’s Talk Dada5000, Renal Failure And Personal Accountability
As first reported by MMAFighting.com’s Marc Raimondi, the Association of Boxing Commissions MMA Rules and Regulations Committee has been refining proposed changes to the Unified Rules of MMA. The proposed changes include redefining eye pokes to include a potential infraction before the eye poke occurs, to allow 12-6 elbows, heel kicks to the kidney and … More ABC Rules Committee Refining Changes to Unified Rules of MMA
(image via roycegracie.com) Today MMA pioneers Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock will fight for a third time, the first bout between them since the 1990’s. Much has evolved since the early days of the sport with the elimination of the Gi being all but universal. But there’s no place like Texas, the governing jurisdiction for … More Yes Folks, Texas Still Allows the Gi for MMA
Today Mark Pavelich, president of the Maximum Fighting Championship, one of MMA’s longest lasting organizations with roots back to 2001, formally announced the promotion is for sale. MFC published the following press release – The Maximum Fighting Championship, one of the eminently exciting brands of mixed martial arts to ever be at the forefront of … More Pavelich – Maximum Fighting Championship is For Sale
Combat Sports Law 