Given the new changes in BC’s combat sports landscape the Province is hosting “an online technical briefing for all amateur combat sport groups to help interpret and apply these new regulations to their programming.” This QandA session will be live streamed on Wednesday September 25, 2013 from 11:00 – 12:00. … More BC To Host Combat Sports Events Briefing
Earlier this month I discussed the bizarre landscape for Performance Enhancing Drug tests in Ontario for professional MMA contests. The folks at MiddleEasy took notice and highlighted this situation as only they can do. For those of you visiting this site for the first time, welcome! The PED situation is … More Welcome Middle Easy Readers
Imagine if pro hockey was legal but all amateur games were against the law. That is foolish and would never happen right? Of course not but that’s exactly what’s happening in Ontario with other sports, namely MMA along side many traditional martial arts. The UFC is making its fourth appearance in Ontario this week. Despite … More With the Big Show in Town, Amateur MMA and Other Martial Arts Still Illegal in Ontario
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
Earlier this year the BC Athletic Commissioner provisionally adopted the ABC’s amateur MMA rules. The BC Commissioner has now published an official copy of these which are appropriately modified to reflect they are the official BC Rules. A copy can be found here BCAC_Amateur_MMA_Rules
(Image via Wikimedia) Yesterday I highlighted the legal black hole which creates the possibility of having no PED tests when the UFC comes to Ontario. Today I highlight another peculiarity of Ontario MMA law, the restrictions on behavior for seconds. While most jurisdictions place some general limitations on the conduct of seconds such as New … More “Remain Seated and Silent” – No Advice From Seconds Under Ontario Law
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?
Combat Sports Law 