Category: Uncategorized

What the Ronda Rousey Arbitration Can Teach MMA Managers and Team Takedown

April 5, 2014

UPDATE April 7, 2014 – The Full CSAC Arbitration Decision is now available and can be found here: CSAC Ronda Rousey Aribtration Decision ______________________________________________________________ The California State Athletic Commission’s arbitration powers made headlines this week with Andy Foster releasing UFC champion Ronda Rousey from provisions of her contract with Fight Tribe Management that relate to “professional … More What the Ronda Rousey Arbitration Can Teach MMA Managers and Team Takedown

Maryland Athletic Commission Takes Advantage of Zuffa PED Test Funding Offer

April 4, 2014

In a positive step towards cleaning up doping in MMA, the Maryland Athletic Commission appears to have taken advantage of Zuffa’s offer to pay for enhanced PED testing.  BloodyElbow reports that “UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones recently revealed that he is currently undergoing random blood and urine tests under the watch of the Maryland State Athletic Commission … More Maryland Athletic Commission Takes Advantage of Zuffa PED Test Funding Offer

How (and why) Athletic Commissions Can Clean Up PED Abuse in MMA

March 28, 2014

_________________________ At this week’s Canadian Bar Association combat sports legal conference  I asked the UFC’s lawyer, Michael Mersch, whether Zuffa has any plans to conduct regular, random, out of competition PED testing for their contracted fighters.  In short his answer was no however the details of his reply give good insight that, should a lawsuit … More How (and why) Athletic Commissions Can Clean Up PED Abuse in MMA

“Rates of KOs and TKOs in MMA are higher than previously reported “

March 27, 2014

Findings were published in this month’s American Journal of Sports Medicine studying “incidence, risk factors, and characteristics of knockouts (KOs) and technical knockouts (TKOs) from repetitive strikes in professional MMA“.  The study focused specifically on UFC’s pay per view cards. The study concludes that “Rates of KOs and TKOs in MMA are higher than previously … More “Rates of KOs and TKOs in MMA are higher than previously reported “

Insight Into Zuffa’s Concussion Lawsuit Defence Strategy

March 26, 2014

                    Like all major sporting organizations, the UFC is aware of legal threats their business model poses and considers legal strategies in response to these. On March 25, 2014 the UFC’s Michael Mersch and Tom Wright along with two local attorneys hosted the Canadian Bar Association’s Professional Development … More Insight Into Zuffa’s Concussion Lawsuit Defence Strategy

What the ABC Thinks About Oklahoma’s One Night Elimination MMA Tournament

March 26, 2014

UPADATE – After a series of setbacks this event was pushed back from its June date and is now scheduled to take place on October 3, 2014. ___________________________________________________________________ It is reported that the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission has approved a one night, 8 man elimination MMA tournament.  Promoted as the “Battlegrounds ONE Tournament” it is advertised as … More What the ABC Thinks About Oklahoma’s One Night Elimination MMA Tournament

Fight Purse Uncertainty – A Problem That Should Never Happen

March 24, 2014

It is rumored that, following WSOF Canada’s Ford v. Powell card, fighter pay issues arose with some cheques issued being cancelled or otherwise not clearing.  I reached out to WSOF Canada to verify these rumours but at the time of publication they have yet to respond:       _____________________________ I am advised by a source … More Fight Purse Uncertainty – A Problem That Should Never Happen

Do the SMAA’s Licencing Policies Violate Canadian “Mobility Rights”?

March 23, 2014

As the Government appointed body tasked with amateur MMA regulation in Saskatchewan the SMAA is an agent of Government and must ensure that they operate with legal protections in mind including those set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  Unfortunately one of the SMAA’s policies appear to run afoul of these protections, specifically … More Do the SMAA’s Licencing Policies Violate Canadian “Mobility Rights”?