Combat Sports Law

Dana White and those behind his slap fighting venture “PowerSlap” boast about the show’s early success mimicking the early days of the UFC. One of the early stories of the UFC was the sport getting the attention of federal politicians and getting relegated what the owners now refer to as the ‘dark ages’. A chapter … More US Congress Members Blast PowerSlap As Brain Trauma Masquerading as Sport

This week Nevada handed out their first ever doping suspension to a slap fighter for having cocaine in their system in competition. The violation brought a 9 month suspension. At the same time the regulator has apparently expressed some concern about slap fighting (notably and unsurprisingly with brain injury rates higher than boxing and MMA) … More Nevada Suspends Slap Fighter For Cocaine, Florida Asked To Legalize the “Sport”

Last year I was very proud to work with Carla Duran and Rose Gracie to help secure hundreds of fighter signatures to petition the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (“ABC”) to create their first ever official fighters committee. Giving athletes an official channel and a voice with their regulatory parent organization. Today the … More ABC “Athletes Voice” Committee Hits the Ground Running!

Over the past year I’ve been volunteering with the charitable organization Fighting Foundation and one of our goals is bringing better concussion and CTE education to combat sports. A key reason being data showing that better educated fighters get less CTE. I am very proud to announce (thanks largely to the tireless advocacy of Fighting … More Nevada Athletic Commission Adds CTE and Concussion Information to their Website

While there is no fool proof way of tracking brain injury rates in combat sports, bouts that end via KO/TKO by head shot are one objective (though under reporting) measuring stick. Using this measure Powerslap brain injury rates are through the roof. Powerslap is not a sport. Defence is not allowed. Competitors must expose themselves … More Powerslap Brain Injury Rates Are Through The Roof

Today Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship issued a press release noting a partnership with King-Devick Technologies in association with the Mayo Clinic. In short noting they will have sideline concussion protocol testing for all competitors prior to and following their bouts at their next card. The press release, in part, noted the following: Philadelphia, PA (February … More BKFC Announces New Sideline Concussion Protocols

MMA was built on taking contractual advantage of fighters not having certain protections that professional boxers enjoy via the Ali Act or that unionized athletes have through collective bargaining. Its not just promoters who get to exploit lack of legal protection, managers also have this ability. This week a tweet made the rounds showing just … More Should MMA Managers Be Better Regulated?