The BC Government has just passed Order in Council 2013-342 which expands the BC Athletic Commissioner’s powers to regulate all amateur MMA, kickboxing, pankration and Muay Thai events. In addition to the BCAC’s powers to regulate pro boxing and MMA, they will apparently now also regulate “any amateur boxing that occurs at a professional boxing or … More BC Legalizes Amateur MMA and Other Non-IOC Combat Sports
Earlier this year I dissected some comments made by Mark Pavelich who proclaimed that he “is never going to put female MMA in my organization.” The outspoken CEO of Canada’s longest running MMA promotion, the MFC, justified his stance on the basis that “I just don’t like to see females hitting each other.” Interestingly enough, Mark … More The MFC Does An About Face On Reason Behind No Women Allowed Policy
Update August 14, 2013 – the plans discussed below have gone through and will apparently also include pro MMA. You can click here for details ______________________________________________________________________ As previously discussed, Canadian federal law designates amateur combat sports ”in the programme of the International Olympic Committee” legal by default. These include Boxing, Wrestling, Judo and Tae Kwon Do. … More Saskatchewan To Legalize Amateur MMA and Other Combat Sports?
Earlier this month I discussed the combat sports athletic commission rumored to be coming to Weyburn, Sakatchewan concluding that if Cities in Saskatchewan have the authority to regulate MMA under the Cities Act and there is “no interference from the Provincial legislature” then the path may be clear for municipal commissions. I have just been … More Saskatchewan Plays the Trump Card over Municipal MMA Regulation
When an unlawful combat sports event takes place in Canada typically prosecutions will take one of two forms, either pursuant to Section 83 of the Criminal Code for being unlawful ‘prize fights’ or under various Provincial or Municipal legislation involving unsanctioned combat sport events. Since section 83 of the Criminal Code was overhauled by Bill … More Prize Fighting Prosecutions and Combat Sports in Canada
Breaking down the legality of MMA in Canada on a Province by Province basis is an interesting exercise given the strange legislative patchwork various Provinces put together trying to get around the pre Bill S-209 version of the Criminal Code. Today I address the legality of MMA, both professional and amateur, in Nova Scotia. As … More A Legal Breakdown of MMA In Nova Scotia (And Why Sword Fighting Is Boxing in NS!)
Earlier this month Brian Stann retired from his successful MMA career due to concerns regarding possible long term implications from traumatic brain injury. Last week, Cole Harbour MMA fighter TJ Grant committed an equally impressive move in deference to head injury. He stepped down from his UFC lightweight title shot scheduled next month. This, despite not … More Concussion Common Sense Leadership From Canada’s TJ Grant
UPDATE July 30, 2013 – Saskatchewan has apparently played the trump card telling Cities they do not have the authority to regulate MMA. Please click here for details ______________________________________________________________________ Keith Grienke of Top MMA News reports that the City of Weyburn Saskatchewan “is looking at allowing Alberta’s Central Combative Sports Commission to sanction pro and amateur … More Can Saskatchewan Cities Regulate Mixed Martial Arts?
As recently reported, it is rumored that the BC Government is considering regulating amateur boxing along with other combat sports on the programme of the IOC. Not all stakeholders are pleased with this development. Canadian Member of Parliament Murray Rankin is among those. Murray recently cautioned BC’s Minister of Sport about their rumored plans. … More Victoria MP Murray Rankin Cautions BC Government About Regulating Amateur Boxing and Wrestling
All tested athletes have reportedly passed their drug tests following UFC 161. The Manitoba Combative Sports Commissioner has just released the following brief statement: The Manitoba Combative Sports Commission had random drug testing conducted at UFC 161 in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 15, 2013. Ten of the twenty two athletes were randomly tested for performance-enhancing drugs … More UFC 161 Drug Test Results – All Randomly Tested Athletes Come Back Clean
Combat Sports Law 