What Are the Risks of Chronic Brain Damage For Retired Athletes?

May 1, 2013

The answer, surprisingly, may be scientifically uncertain.  That said, some common sense observations can be used to bridge this scientific gap to conclude that there are real risks associated with long term participation in contact sport. Without marginalizing the discussion surrounding concussive injury and potential long term health implications, a recent study was published earlier this … More What Are the Risks of Chronic Brain Damage For Retired Athletes?

Minister of Sport Acknowledges Status of Amateur MMA / Martial Arts in BC “Is Not Adequate”

April 26, 2013

In my continued efforts to bring attention to the legal gap making amateur martial arts / MMA illegal in British Columbia (and most Canadian Provinces for that matter) I approached BC’s current Minister of Sport to address this issue.  Unsurprisingly the Government is wrapped up in the current election campaign and has no plans to remedy this … More Minister of Sport Acknowledges Status of Amateur MMA / Martial Arts in BC “Is Not Adequate”

The Canadian Medical Association Takes a Swipe at Bill S-209

April 15, 2013

Update: April 19, 2013 – The below article was republished at Top MMA News and I invite readers to also visit there for its discussion thread. Dr. Anna Reid, the President of the CMA, appeared on a local BC Radio show earlier this week and acknowledged that “we don’t have a lot of research available yet as … More The Canadian Medical Association Takes a Swipe at Bill S-209

The BC Open Is a Great Event…Too Bad It’s Illegal

April 14, 2013

I had a great time attending the BC Open Martial Arts Championships  this past weekend.  It was a competitive event and I was particularly proud watching my oldest son’s spirited effort demonstrating his Karate forms and my youngest son winning gold in point sparring.  Martial Arts have done much for the positive growth of my children through the … More The BC Open Is a Great Event…Too Bad It’s Illegal

BC’s Athletic Commissioner Act Comes Into Force on May 30

April 12, 2013

The BC Government has just published a press release setting a date for the Athletic Commissioner Act to come into force as of May 30, 2013.  The Regulations still appear to be a work in progress.  The gap for kickboxing referenced at the end of the press release is an unfortunate one and hopefully the act will … More BC’s Athletic Commissioner Act Comes Into Force on May 30

Time for Some Disinfecting at the Regie

April 12, 2013

Last month I canvassed the Diaz/St. Pierre Weigh in controversy (You can click here for a good timeline summary of the controversy)concluding that while there may be no legal remedy available to Diaz his camp’s comments on the Regie’s actions may lead to much welcome scrutiny of this Commission. Today the controversial pre-weigh in video with ‘off the … More Time for Some Disinfecting at the Regie

Spar Smart! – Study Shows Long Term Brain Dysfunction More Related to Intensity of Sparring Than Frequency of Knockouts

April 10, 2013

Conventional wisdom has long held that hits resulting in loss of consciousness were the primary factor in long term cognitive dysfunction in athletes.  New research continues to shed light on this assumption and it is becoming clearer that while concussive events can lead to long term harm, cumulative sub-concussive events take their own toll. In a boxing … More Spar Smart! – Study Shows Long Term Brain Dysfunction More Related to Intensity of Sparring Than Frequency of Knockouts

The GSP / Diaz Weigh-In and Drug Test Controversy – My Two Cents

March 27, 2013

Earlier today Nick Diaz’s camp made headlines arguing that the Quebec Commission relaxed their rules regarding weigh-ins by allowing a weight as high as 170.9 pounds to be rounded down to 170.  This was apparently announced shortly before the scheduled weigh in arguably prejudicing a fighter who unnecessarily cut an extra pound.  The second issue raised related … More The GSP / Diaz Weigh-In and Drug Test Controversy – My Two Cents

Does failing to disclose illegal PED use take away consent in MMA?

March 8, 2013

In case there aren’t enough reasons to avoid illegal Performance Enhancing Drugs, their use may also open the door to civil or criminal repercussions following otherwise lawful MMA bouts. You need look no further than the aftermath of the McSorley/Brashear altercation or the Bertuzzi/Moore incident to recognize that the law sets limits to consent of harm in sports. … More Does failing to disclose illegal PED use take away consent in MMA?