It is no secret that PED abuse exists in the world of elite sports and MMA is no exception. Recent developments are shining a spotlight on this topic and the question is will this become a crisis for the sport or an opportunity. It all started with Georges St. Pierre volunteering for enhanced testing … More A Perfect Opportunity for PED Reform in MMA
I’ve now had a chance to review the recent judicial decision addressing Zuffa’s challenge to New York’s Combative Sports Ban (Zuffa et al v. New York). While it is true that New York was successful in dismissing most of Zuffa’s arguments, they failed to strike a key aspect of the lawsuit; the allegation that the … More New York’s Flip Flopping Allows Zuffa MMA Lawsuit to Continue
As previously discussed, Bill S-209 did not make MMA legal in all of Canada, instead it made the sport illegal by default and forced Provinces to pass appropriate laws if they wished to change this. Provinces that fail to act in a timely manner jeopardize the local landscape of the sport. Such a situation appears … More City of Moncton Puts MMA, Muay Thai and Kickboxing Into Legal Limbo
Yesterday I questioned the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services’ decision to uphold a win by Ben Rothwell after he tested positive for elevated TRT. Dr. Johnny Benjamin was quick to identify a more important issue, the fact that a licence was issued in the first place. Rothwell was granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption … More Athletic Commissions Must Not Ignore Profound Brain Trauma
MMA Junkie broke the news that Ben Rothwell tested positive for elevated testosterone following his victory over Brandon Vera at UFC 164. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, which oversaw the event, provided an Athletic Commission’s equivalent of a slap on the wrist for this violation by issuing Rothwell an ‘administrative warning’. Perhaps more … More Is Ben Rothwell’s Elevated TRT Win Really a No Contest?
When the UFC enters markets that don’t have compulsive drug tests some questions spring to mind such as what, if any, performance enhancing drugs are outlawed for such shows? Are Therapeutic Use Exemptions ever granted and if so who is in charge of granting these? The UFC’s latest event in Ontario provided an opportunity to … More “The UFC Does Not Grant TUE’s” When Entering Unregulated Markets?
Update October 7, 2013 – MMAJunkie just published an article with Dr Benjamin calling for specific weight cut reforms as follows: Multiple, official, random year-round weigh-ins to establish every fighter’s “normal” weight Fighters barred from competing in a weight class that’s lighter than 90 percent of their established normal weight Short-notice (less than 30 days) … More With Tragedy At Hand, Weight Cut Reform Takes the Spotlight in MMA
When it comes to “Professional” combat sports, Section 83 of the Criminal Code makes them all illegal except a “boxing contest or mixed martial arts contest held in a province with the permission or under the authority of an athletic board, commission or similar body established by or under the authority of the province’s legislature … More Professional Muay Thai and Kickboxing Will Remain Illegal in BC
The live stream of the BC Government’s presentation addressing combat sports in the Province has now been uploaded. You can watch here:
Update June 24, 2014 – The criminal charges have apparently come to end by way of conditional discharge _____________________________________________________________ Update January 30, 2014– it is now reported that Criminal Charges are being pressed as a result of this event _____________________________________________________________ Update October 15, 2013 – Marlo Pritchard, Chief of Police for the City of Weyburn, … More Let’s Find Out What Happens To Unsanctioned Canadian MMA in a Post S-209 World…
Combat Sports Law 