Combat Sports Law

Today USADA announced that an independent arbitrator handed veteran MMA fighter Josh Barnett a reprimand after testing positive for ostarine following an out-of-competition test conducted on December 9, 2016. The drug was traced back to a contaminated supplement. USADA argued for a lengthy suspension trying to hold Barnett’s past doping violations against him. The arbitrator dismissed … More Josh Barnett Handed Public Reprimand After Doping Violation Traced Back to Contaminated Product

In a move that should be noted by all combat sports organizations in Ontario, the Government passed legislation imposing concussion protocols in the Province. The legislation, named Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), was passed in honour of Rowan Stringer, a 17-year-old rugby player who died following sustaining multiple concussions. The law impacts ‘sport organizations‘ a broad … More Ontario Passes Concussion Safety Law for Amateur Sports

Update March 13, 2018 – Today the NSAC issued their punishment for this infraction handing Calvillo a 9 month suspension and a $6,150 fine (15% of her reported purse). _____________________________________ Cynthia Calvillo’s in competition sample at UFC 219 in Las Vegas tested positive for Carboxy-THC with a concentration above the limit of 180 ng/mL.  Cannabinoids are … More UFC Fighter Cynthia Calvillo Accepts 6 Month USADA Suspension for Marijuana Violation

This week UFC fighter Jon Jones had his mixed martial arts licence revoked by the California State Athletic Commission and was further fined $205,000 for competing with Turinabol in his system at UFC 214. These penalties were just some in a series of possible consequences Jones is facing for the infraction.  The most significant are … More What The Yadav Case Can Teach Us About Jon Jones’ Upcoming USADA Fate

This weekend Josh Emmett lost his headlining bout to Jeremy Stephens at UFC Fight Night Orlando The loss came with some controversy where it appears Emmett was struck with at least a glancing knee by Stephens while grounded.  This all unfolded in the midst of what was ultimately the bout ending sequence. Emmett announced his … More Why Josh Emmett’s Appeal At Least Has a Fighting Chance

There is little debate that UFC fighters would enjoy benefits from forming a meaningful union or players association.  The benefits are so obvious that the UFC’s own lawyers, in court filings, essentially mocked fighters for their low pay arguing that absent a union the UFC’s roster should not expect a revenue split similar to that … More Are UFC Fighter Managers Breaching Their Fiduciary Duty In Not Supporting Unionization Efforts?

As first reported by Kurt Emhoff at boxingesq.com, reasons for judgement were recently published by the US District Court, Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division commenting on whether a boxer under a promotional agreement is a laboror or employee.  The judgement is narrow in scope focussing on provisions in a Florida Long-Arm statute but are … More Court Finds Professional Boxer Under Promotional Contract is Neither an “Employee” or “Laborer”

As recently discussed, there have been varying efforts over the years to organize UFC and other professional MMA fighters.  Project Spearhead is the latest to enter the fray. The UFC has taken time over the years trying to persuade fighters that unionization is not in the fighters interest.  In a candid admission, however, Zuffa’s own … More UFC’s Own Lawyers State Fighters Should Only Expect a High Revenue Share If They “Also Had a Union”.