Earlier this year I commended Canada’s TJ Grant for doing the right thing by stepping away from a scheduled UFC title shot due to a concussive injury sustained during practice. Brain health should not be taken lightly and his choice, as difficult as it must have been, was worth positively highlighting. A second title shot … More TJ Grant Goes 2-0 When it Comes To Concussion Management
Earlier this month I analyzed the law of facial hair in MMA pointing out that New Jersey has perhaps the most extreme requirements outright banning any beard and only permitting a “closely cropped mustache. “ Section 81 of the Ontario Athletics Control Act specifically adopts the New Jersey Rules for professional MMA. I reached out to … More Ontario Softens Up Their “Cleanly Shaven” MMA Requirement
Update September 19, 2013 – After writing the below article Ontario’s Office of the Athletics Commissioner advises me that “UFC’s contract with fighters provides for random drug testing at events. At UFC 165, an OAC physician will oversee the collection of samples for the tests.” I have asked the AC’s office for a copy of the … More No Compelled Drug Tests for UFC 165?
If you’ve watched GSP’s recent fights you’ll notice a peculiar pre-fight ritual of his, spitting water on himself. After stepping into the Octagon GSP has a habit of taking a sip of water then spitting the water in the air over his head letting it land on him. Whether this is a a harmless habit … More Does GSP’s Pre Fight Water Spitting Ritual Break the Rules?
The use of marijuana by licensed MMA athletes is in the news again now that it is reported that the Nevada State Athletic Commission has raised the testing threshold of marijuana metabolites from 50 ng/mL to 150 ng/mL. This move is in line with the World Anti Doping Agency’s current policies who adopted the … More MMA Doping Laws and Medical Marijuana – Are TUE’s the Answer?
Update October 17, 2013 – It is reported that the Texas CSA declined to intervene noting ” the Texas commission responded that they don’t regulate facial hygiene.” _________________________________________________________________ MMA Junkie reports that the UFC’s Daniel Cormier has voiced the following concerns about Roy Nelson’s appearance: “The thing about the beard is it doesn’t seem to be … More The Law of Roy Nelson’s Beard
If you haven’t heard about the controversial recent fight of Tony Lopez you can visit MiddleEasy who report that “Tony Lopez did the most reprehensible thing one could ever do in mixed martial arts. After securing a rear naked choke on his opponent, Lopez held on to the submission as the referee was trying to separate him. … More What if the Tony Lopez Situation Occurred in Canada?
Update October 5, 2013 – The City of Moncton has now pulled the Commission’s ability to oversee MMA, Muay Thai and Kickboxing. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Although the City of Moncton has an established Athletic Commission with the power to regulate and oversee both amateur and professional MMA events, the Commission’s blessing may not be enough to get … More The Dubious Legality of MMA in Moncton
If you are looking to become a licensed judge or referee for professional boxing in BC, the office of the BC Athletic Commissioner has just announced a three day Boxing Judge and Referee Training Course. The Course will take place at Dynamic MMA in Richmond BC from September 28-30. There is limited registration … More BC Athletic Commissioner Announces Boxing Judge/Referee Training Course
Section 83 of the Criminal Code delegates the regulation of MMA to the Provinces. This requirement has created a diverse regulatory patchwork for the sport across Canada. Some Canadian jurisdictions have ‘home licencing requirements‘ – that is, requirements for non-residents to be licensed in their jurisdiction of residency or other jurisdictions prior to being qualified … More “Home Licencing” Requirements and MMA Fighter Mobility Rights
Combat Sports Law 