Earlier this week I had the pleasure to appear on The Fight Network’s MMA Meltdown radio with the always entertaining Gabriel Morency. We covered many of the current legal headlines in MMA including the UFC Anti Trust Class Action lawsuit, the recent Quinton Jackson legal tug of war and the possibility of concussion lawsuits hitting the … More Welcome MMA Meltdown Radio Listeners
Update December 23, 2014 – Yesterday a second lawsuit has now been filed making similar allegations against Zuffa. The second lawsuit was filed by Luis Vazquez and Dennis Hallman and also seeks class action status. The Court filing can be found here: Vazquez and Hallman v. Zuffa Complaint Update December 24, 2014 – Today Brandon Vera … More An Overview and Analysis of the UFC Anti Trust Lawsuit
In 2012 the US Federal Trade Commission closed their investigation into the UFC for alleged anti competitive practices. The investigation ended with the vagueness that only the executive branch of government can give noting “This action is not to be construed as a determination that a violation may not have occurred, just as the pendency … More Anti Trust Class Action Lawsuit Against UFC Rumoured to Be “Imminent”
This week the UFC announced a 6 year deal designating Reebok as “the exclusive outfitter and apparel provider” for the UFC. The deal requires Reebok apparel to be worn and prohibits athletes from having “outside sponsor logos on athletic apparel during UFC fight week official events, including fight night, UFC-produced content or other official UFC events. … More UFC Reebok Uniforms and Zuffa Fighter Contracts
Adding to this site’s archived caselaw summaries of combat sports PPV piracy prosecutions, two decisions were released this month by the US Federal Courts granting default judgement in cases of alleged cable and satellite theft. In the first case (Joe Hand Promotions Inc. v SlackTV) the Plaintiff obtained default judgement against the Defendant for alleged … More Latest Piracy Prosecutions Result in Hefty Default Judgements
Earlier this year Manitoba passed an Order in Council setting out how amateur ‘prize fights’ are to be regulated in the Province. Oversight of all karate prize fights was handed to Karate Manitoba. Today Karate Manitoba sent the below e-mail setting out their regulatory framework for the sport. I should note that the e-mail is … More Karate Manitoba Releases Rules for “Prize Fights” in the Province
John Diedrich, reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel continues to ask questions following the death of amateur kickboxer Dennis Munson Jr. The potential legal consequences from this tragedy are ongoing with the police apparently “investigating why video of kickboxer Dennis Munson Jr.’s fatal fight — submitted to detectives as evidence — was missing 32 seconds … More District Attorney Analysis of Why Criminal Charges Not Filed in Dennis Munson Jr. Death
Contrary to popular belief, most deaths in combat sports occur in lower weight classes as opposed to the heavier hitting classes. One of the likely contributors is the brain dehydration that comes with rapid extreme weight cut practices associated with combatants making weight. A tragic recent death in amateur kickboxing occurred earlier this year in … More Weight Cutting Rears its Head in Another Combat Sports Death
Section 83 of Canada’s Criminal Code prohibits ‘prize fights’ as a default position and sets out ways in which Provinces can legalize various amateur and professional combat sports. While section 83’s recent amendments were generally a positive development as they paved the way for legal MMA in Canada, the section is poorly drafted and led … More Muay Thai and Some Absurdities With Canada’s Prizefighting Law
A quick roundup of recent regulatory punishments of note this week in the world of MMA. Following a 30% purse withholding due to Battlegrounds ONE tournament winner Roan Carneiro showing up late to a pre bout medical meeting, the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission reduced the fine to $100 (down from $15,000 being 30% of the … More MMA Regulatory Roundup
Combat Sports Law 