Combat Sports Law

Today the Texas Department of Licencing and Regulation announced a phased re-opening of combat sports in the State. The announcement notes venues will be subject to 50% capacity and that approved events are subject to cancellation with the agency monitoring “factors including positive test rates and hospitalization rates in the area where the event is … More Texas Announces Phased Re-Opening of Combat Sports Events

Jessica-Rose Clark defeated Sarah Alpar by TKO (Strikes, Round 3, 4:21) at UFC on ESPN+36 this weekend.  Shortly prior to the official stoppage Clark struck Alpar with a knee to the head as Alpar was precariously close to being grounded. Referee Chris Tognoni believed a foul occurred and called time out. As Alpar was recovering … More Let’s Once Again Talk Nevada’s Actual Instant Replay Rule And Clark vs Alpar Stoppage

Today an interesting article was published by The Athletic with various physicians and experts commenting on knockouts in combat sports. In the article, titled “Explained: What Happens to a Fighter’s Brain After Suffering a KO?” one of the experts interviewed voiced a controversial opinion that certain ‘flash knockouts‘ can occur without any brain trauma at … More Do “Flash Knockouts” Happen Without Brain Trauma?

Update – September 16, 2020 – This morning Michael Mazzulli, Director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation responded as follows – “Presently I am not requiring any other tests (EKG is required) but my medical staff updates me on a daily bases with new protocol.” ____________________________________________________ Regulators around Canada and the United States … More What is the Standard of Care for Licencing Fighters After They’ve “Recovered” From Covid-19?

At UFC Vegas 10 this past weekend Ed Herman won a controversial bout against opponent Mike Rodriguez.  Rodriguez landed two clean strikes to the body causing Herman to crumble and being unable to continue for a considerable period of time.  Referee Chris Tognoni mistakenly called the second bodyshot a low blow but instant replay makes … More Let’s Talk Nevada’s Actual Instant Replay Rule and Controversial Herman/Rodriguez “Low Blow”

Today ViaSport, the BC Government’s lead delivery agency for sports programs, released their latest Covid-19 Protection Return to Sport Guidelines for the Province. Among the guidelines were permission for various combative sports to return to training with contact and even competition in Phase 3. The amateur combat sports under ViaSport’s umbrella are boxing, judo, karate, … More ViaSport Greenlights Contact Training and Competition for Amateur Combat Sports in BC

A few years back Nevada overhauled their combat sports rules to allow instant replay when fights concluded following injury to determine if the injury was caused by a fair blow or a foul.  More recently Nevada expanded their ability to use instant replay “at any time” to increase the ability of referees to get things … More Let’s Talk Daniel Cormier Eye Poke, Missed Calls and Nevada’s Instant Replay Rule

Further update September 3, 2020 – Today is is reported that the NAC handed Pena a 4.5 months suspension for this infraction.   Pena tested positive for marijuana in connection with UFC on ESPN 12 fight against Khama Worthy. Four-and-a-half month suspension, which expires Nov. 10, 15 percent fine of “show” purse, or $4050, and $218.04 … More Is Nevada Doing “Violent Bob Ross” Wrong When it Comes to Cannabis?