Is BC About To Add Red Tape To Amateur Boxing, Judo, Wrestling and Tae Kwon Do?

July 15, 2013

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?

More Fallout on the Canadian Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Scene – Grande Prairie Cancels AMMA Events

July 12, 2013

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

Calgary Pulls The Plug For Amateur MMA At AFC Stampede Fight Night

July 9, 2013

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

Does The Edmonton Commission Release Too Much Information Regarding Fighter Injuries?

July 8, 2013

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?

Amateur MMA / Combat Sports in BC Headed for a Mixed Bag of Regulation?

July 2, 2013

Changes are coming soon in the BC amateur MMA/combat sports landscape as a result of the Bill S-209 overhaul. I have been in touch with a few commissioners / stakeholders in the MMA community from different Provinces over the past month and there appears to be some hesitation on the government front hoping to “get … More Amateur MMA / Combat Sports in BC Headed for a Mixed Bag of Regulation?

Why the Manitoba Commission’s Silence is Golden When it Comes to Fighter Injury Details

June 28, 2013

Following UFC 161 the Manitoba Combative Sports Commission released the required information relating to fighter medical suspensions so these can be published at the Association of Boxing Commissions Official Certified Database for Mixed Martial Arts.  This is done to allow Athletic Commissions in other jurisdictions to find out whether a combatant intending to fight under their … More Why the Manitoba Commission’s Silence is Golden When it Comes to Fighter Injury Details

BC Commission Confirms Amateur Boxing, Taekwondo, Wrestling and Judo Presently Legal

June 27, 2013

As previously discussed, while there are a lot of amateur combat sports which are presently illegal in BC by operation of s. 83 of the Criminal Code, those amateur sports “on the programme of the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee ” are currently legal.  These include Boxing, Taekwondo, Wresling and Judo. After bringing this … More BC Commission Confirms Amateur Boxing, Taekwondo, Wrestling and Judo Presently Legal

Breaking Down the Calgary Combative Sports Commission’s Authority To Regulate AMMA

June 26, 2013

Yes, once again here comes a lawyer to take all the fun out of things!  Today I will breakdown the legal authority (or lack thereof) of the Calgary Combative Sports Commission to regulate AMMA. AFC 20 is scheduled to take place in Calgary in July and three amateur bouts are reportedly taking place.   Given … More Breaking Down the Calgary Combative Sports Commission’s Authority To Regulate AMMA

Fort McMurray Passes Combative Sports Commission Bylaw

June 26, 2013

With Bill S-209 now in force the legislative floodgates are opening with regional governments passing laws addressing mixed martial arts and other combat sports.   Alberta’s Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (Fort McMurray) is the latest to enter the fray with the City Council having just passed a Combative Sports Commission Bylaw. The new bylaw … More Fort McMurray Passes Combative Sports Commission Bylaw

BC Government is “Actively Working” On Legislative Response to Bill S-209

June 25, 2013

A further legal change in BC Combat Sports law is expected shortly as a result of Bill S-209 making amateur combat sports illegal in BC.  Similar legislative shifts are likely also in the works throughout other Canadian jurisdictions.  The BC Government confirms, through the BC Athletic Commissioner, that they are “actively working” on a legislative … More BC Government is “Actively Working” On Legislative Response to Bill S-209