Combat Sports Law

It is rumoured that UFC 249 will take place at the Tachi Palace Casino resort in Lemoore California.  The venue is owned and operated by the Tachi-Yokut Tribe.  Like other tribal jurisdictions independence is enjoyed from State laws relating to combative sports. The Tachi Palace Casino announced on March 20, 2020 that they were suspending … More Comments on UFC 249 from the CSAC, ABC and ARP

Last month in the face of the evolving Covid-19 global pandemic the Association of Ringside Physicians recommended “that all governing bodies in combat sports adhere to current CDC guidelines regarding mass gatherings“. This week the ARP tightened their position and flat out stated that “all” combat sports events should be suspended until further notice.  They sensibly … More Association of Ringside Physicians Recommends Suspension of “All” Combat Sports Events

Promoters agree to promote and fighters agree to fight.   In the midst of the Corona Virus global pandemic, however, neither are likely to be able to fulfill their obligations. So what happens if a fighter refuses to compete at a scheduled event because of the pandemic or if a promoter refuses to try to host … More Fighter Contracts and Covid 19 – The Law of “Force Majeure” and “Frustration”

In August, 2019 the BC Government announced plans to legalize pro kickboxing in the Province.  To do the Minister’s Athletic Commissioner Regulation required amendment. Today the office of the BC Athletic Commissioner announced that Professional Kickboxing is now legal in the Province as the relevant regulatory amendments were made. Specifically Ministerial Order M072 was passed … More Pro Kickboxing Officially Legal in BC

With most combat sports promotions respecting public health warnings and government directives to cancel events amidst the ever growing Covid-19 pandemic others are still looking for creative ways to keep shows going. This week the Association of Ringside Physicians, arguably the leading voice when it comes to the standard of care for safety in combative … More Association of Ringside Physicians Officially Support Cancellation of Combat Sports Events

After putting on one of the best title bouts in the UFC’s history defending champion Weili Zhang earned a split decision over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248.  The champions pay was reported at $200,000. Zhang was paid what she was contracted and she signed her contract with whatever leverage she had at the time.  Realistically … More Why Weili Zhang is Worth Millions for Her Next UFC Bout

Just a short post to thank Serena DeJesus for allowing CombatSportsLaw to be part of her sponsorship team for today’s Invicta Bouts! DeJesus was invited to InvictaFC’s Phoenix Series 3 as an alternate but during fight week was added the main bracket.  The 8 woman elimination tournament has a throwback feel to the early days … More Thank You Serena “Southpaw Outlaw” DeJesus!

In the ongoing wrongful death suit filed by Tim Hague’s family the finger pointing continues. By way of background Hague died after sustaining significant brain trauma in a boxing bout overseen by the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission (the “ESCS”).  Hague’s family named numerous parties in a wrongful death lawsuit including the City of Edmonton, the … More Ringside Physicians Argue Tim Hague’s “Training Partners, Trainers and Coaches” Responsible For His Death

In most jurisdictions cannabis is banned in-competition for combat sports athletes.  Generally this means that an athlete cannot consume cannabis in the 24 hours prior to competition but otherwise consumption is not considered an anti-doping violation. The problem, however, is there is no satisfactory test which proves in-competition use.  Instead regulators adopt thresholds which are … More Elias Theodorou Granted First Ever MMA Cannabis Therapeutic Use Exemption