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
As previously discussed, amateur Boxing, Judo, Wrestling and Tae Kwon Do are presently legal in BC however there is concern that the government is about to get involved in regulating these previously self regulated combat sports due to the powers given to the Provinces by the new section 83 of the Criminal Code. Andrew Schuck, … More Is BC About To Add Red Tape To Amateur Boxing, Judo, Wrestling and Tae Kwon Do?
As previously discussed, the now overhauled section 83 of the Criminal Code does not in and of itself make MMA legal across Canada, it allows Provinces to make it legal on a Province by Province basis. The default is the sport remains illegal. It requires Provincial regulation. This needs to happen for both professional and amateur … More More Fallout on the Canadian Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Scene – Grande Prairie Cancels AMMA Events
The AFC’s latest event is scheduled to take place on July 12 in Calgary. Last month Top MMA News reported that the event was scheduled to host a handful of amateur fights on the card. As previously discussed, Calgary currently lacks a proper framework to host amateur MMA bouts. I have it on good authority … More Calgary Pulls The Plug For Amateur MMA At AFC Stampede Fight Night
Last month I highlighted the Manitoba Combative Sports Commission’s practice of releasing minimal information when dealing with fighter injuries. I discussed why this is likely the legally correct thing to do not to mention a practice that is in the fighter’s best interests. Moving a few Provinces west, today I look at the Edmonton Combative Sports … More Does The Edmonton Commission Release Too Much Information Regarding Fighter Injuries?
Combat Sports Law 