Earlier this year I highlighted why the anticipated Canadian Amateur MMA Championships cannot lawfully be held in Ontario given the lack of Bill S-209 compliant laws in the Province. It now appears that the planned event has hit a wall with local authorities. Alex Gasson, who operates the Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Championship Series, has … More Have the Canadian Amateur MMA Championships Been Derailed?
Update February 10, 2014 – Fox Sports Reports the positive test was for cannabinoids which, absent a TUE, makes the no contest order within the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations authority as outlined below ___________________________________________________________ Several months after winning a close decision against Sarah Kaufman at UFC 166 Jesica Eye learned that the result was being changed … More Can Jessica Eye Overturn Her No Contest Back to a Win?
New research reveals that concussive injuries come with objectively measurable changes in the brain. The findings are remarkable because while post concussive symptoms are well known this study gives insight into the structural damage that may cause these symptoms. The findings were published this week in the Journal of Neurosurgeory showing that the brain indeed is physically … More Concussions Accompanied With Visible Alterations in the Brain
It has been quite the week for doping headlines in MMA. Starting with the Association of Ringside Physicians call for banning Testosterone Replacement Therapy to the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s admission of the influence of money there has been no shortage of publicity. To cap it all off individuals from one of the most prominent athletic commissions, … More Drug Testing in MMA “Fraught With Obvious and Glaring Weaknesses”
Last September I highlighted an amateur MMA event which took place in Weyburn Saskatchewan without SMAA sanctioning. (The SMAA is the body designated by Order in Council 479/2013 with the power to sanction and oversee amateur combat sports in Saskatchewan in compliance with the Criminal Code). In a move that should come as no surprise … More Criminal Charges Follow Unsanctioned Saskatchewan Amateur MMA Event
I previously highlighted why Athletic Commissions can be vulnerable to lawsuits if they implement negligent PED tests which allow cheats to easily slip through the cracks. Random out of competition testing would catch more cheaters but also derail more events. This is harmful to the economic interests from those who profit from the sport, however, … More Athletic Commissions Would Be Wise To Remember “Safety Over Profit”
Education is key when it comes to the sensible regulation of combat sports. To this end the Association of Ringside Physicians is doing a good job addressing some of the key issues in combat sports, namely PED use, weight cut practices and issues related to head trauma. In addition to their highly publicized consensus statement … More More Combat Sport Safety Advice from the Association of Ringside Physicians
If doctors are to blame for bringing Testosterone Replacement Therapy into combat sports perhaps they will also be the ones to take TRT TUE’s out. The American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians has issued a press release calling for a ban of TRT TUE’s in combat sports. Given the integral role … More Association of Ringside Physicians Says “Eliminate” TRT TUE’s in Combat Sports
Caught doping in an Olympic Sport? WADA will hit you with a 4 year ban for the first offence. If you get caught doping a second time you face a lifetime ban. Major professional sports, on the other hand, start with the equivalent of a slap on the wrist before moving to escalating suspensions. What … More Illegal PED’s And Science Based Suspensions In MMA
Vitor Belfort’s controversial use of Testosterone Replacement Therapy will be in the spotlight again if his title shot takes place, as rumoured, in Nevada. Belfort has never been granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption by the State with NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer stating it is doubtful one would be granted. This is a … More Forget TUE’s, Can Belfort Even Be Licensed Under The NSAC Rules?
Combat Sports Law 