Update – February 28, 2014 – the CNMMAF has now released the details of the format which, while may not be a good measure of who the best MMA competitors are, seems to take care in trying to avoid being labeled a ‘prize fight‘ under the Criminal Code. Here are the details of the tryouts: … More More on the CNMMAF “Tryouts” – Testing Shades of Grey in Canada’s Criminal Code
It was previously announced that an amateur MMA event was scheduled to take place in Ontario with the winners receiving a “free ride” to the CNMMAF national championships. The CNMMAF has now announced an overhaul of this format stating that “Due to the legalities of the CNMMAF hosting a National Championships…we have voted upon with … More CNMMAF Overhauls “Team Canada Tryouts”; Legal Problems Remain
There are a few developments in Nova Scotia which are noteworthy and point to the need for legislative overhaul for both professional and amateur MMA. On the amateur side, it is reported that a body called “The Nova Scotia Amateur Mixed Martial Association” will be designated as an authority to oversee amateur MMA in the … More The Problems in Nova Scotia…
Earlier this week the UFC released a press release addressing legal steps they are taking to crack down on illegal streaming of their pay per view product. The UFC states that “Lonstein Law Office has successfully prosecuted hundreds of claims for the UFC organization for sites illegally streaming content and individual users since 2007.“. It … More Have Any of the UFC’s Illegal Streaming “Successful Prosecutions” Been Contested?
Positive marijuana drug tests in MMA have made headlines again this week with both Jessica Eye and Yancy Medeiros finding themselves on the wrong side of the rules. In addition to facing various penalties they both had their respective victories overturned to a ‘no decision‘ which is a power wielded by most athletic commissions following a … More Marijuana and No Decisions in MMA – A Poor Use of Commission Discretion
In my recent posts addressing Athletic Commission liability for negligent PED testing standards (archived here and here) I highlight that frequent out of competition blood tests would be the gold standard for weeding out cheats in combat sports. One defense commissions may have if ever on the wrong end of a lawsuit would be to point … More Why The Money Defence May Be Off The Table For Athletic Commission Liability
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”
Combat Sports Law 