Combat Sports Law

Update December 13, 2017– The WWE has now announced that their planned bout in Edmonton in February is “postponed” citing the newly passed moratorium.  The below announcement was just posted on Rogers Place’s website. “Following new guidelines established by Edmonton’s city council, WWE’s event on Friday, February 9 at Rogers Place has been postponed. The WWE is … More Did Edmonton Unwittingly Ban the WWE in Their Combat Sports Moratorium?

Today MMA reporter Mike Russell tweeted that the family of Tim Hague has hired a lawyer and are pursuing a wrongful death prosecution against the City of Edmonton. Hague died following a boxing bout in Edmonton in June 2017.  Viewer discretion is advised. Questions have swirled about whether the bout should have been approved, whether … More Tim Hague’s Family Hires Lawyer To Sue City of Edmonton Following Boxer’s Death; Legal Issues in Play

Update February 27, 2018 – Today it is reported that the City has lifted its moratorium.  _________________________________________ Today Edmonton announced that the City has issued a moratorium on professional combat sports events starting December 9, 2017 which will stay in force until “December 31, 2018, or until Council provides further direction.” Earlier this year boxer … More Edmonton Pulls the Plug on Combat Sports Until 2019

Update November 30, 2017– I contacted Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport for clarification about what rules the designated PSO is allowed to use when overseeing grappling and pankration contests.  In a somewhat baffling reply the Ministry is taking the position that BJJ is not ‘grappling’ and remains illegal in Ontario despite this recent … More Ontario Legalizes Amateur Grappling and Pankration Tournaments; BJJ Remains Illegal

The Korea Herald reports that former UFC fighter Bang Tae-hyun has been handed a 10 month jail term after agreeing to take a dive at UFC Fight Night 79 in Seoul on Nov. 28, 2015. Bang apparently agreed to lose his fight but the UFC got wind that something was amiss when betting lines dramatically shifted … More Former UFC Fighter Handed 10 Month Jail Sentence For Fight Fixing

Kirik Jenness of MixedMartialArts.com  has published a concerning story involving Arkansas allowing a boxer who previously tested positive for HIV to compete. Jenness notes as follows: “Michael Mazzulli, President of the Association of Boxing Commissions, recently reached out to the Governor of Arkansas, alleging that the Arkansas Athletic Commission knowingly allowed an HIV positive boxer to engage in … More Arkansas Reportedly Allows HIV Positive Boxer to Compete

Update November 28, 2017 – Today I spoke with Bernie Profato, the Ohio Athletic Commission’s Executive Director, who confirmed his office has been investigating numerous fighters for submitting falsified bloodwork.  Profato confirms a total 23 fighters have been suspended.  These include 21 amateur MMA fighters and 2 professional. Profato published the following list of fighters … More Over 20 Fighters Reportedly Suspended in Falsified Bloodwork Scandal

Update December 14, 2017 – Today the charges were disposed of with Werdum being ordered to pay a $600 fine. ________________________________ After video surfaced of UFC fighter Fabricio Werdum throwing a boomerang at Colby Covington and a noted second altercation where Werdum reportedly punched Covington the UFC heavyweight has been charged with assault. The Australian Associated … More Fabricio Werdum Charged With Assault Following Boomerang Attack