Decreased Brain Volume and Cognitive Dysfunction Documented in Professional Fighters

May 20, 2017

In my ongoing efforts to highlight relevant safety studies addressing combat sports,  a recent study was published in the Journal of Neurology documenting decreased brain volume with associated cognitive dysfunction in professional fighters. The recent study, titled Longitudinal MRI and Cognitive Change in Professional Fighters, is part of the Professional Fighter Brain Health study which … More Decreased Brain Volume and Cognitive Dysfunction Documented in Professional Fighters

Legal Food for Thought Regarding Michael Bisping’s Management Lawsuit

May 18, 2017

Earlier this week the Daily Mail reported that UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping is in the midst of trial being sued by his former manager Anthony McGann. The Daily Mail reports that “McGann…is suing him for £270,000 in unpaid fees and expenses dating back ten years.”.   The lawsuit is based on a disputed contract which … More Legal Food for Thought Regarding Michael Bisping’s Management Lawsuit

California Unanimously Passes Major MMA Weight Cut Reforms

May 16, 2017

In a welcome development by arguably the most pro-active jurisdiction in North America tackling the perils of rapid extreme weight cuts in MMA, the California State Athletic Commission has unanimously passed major reforms in regulating this practice. As first reported by Marc Raimondi, the CSAC unanimously passed a 10-point plan which seeks to alter the landscape of … More California Unanimously Passes Major MMA Weight Cut Reforms

The Legal Framework For Dustin Poirier’s UFC 211 No Contest Appeal

May 15, 2017

After being struck by illegal knees to the head at UFC 211 Dustin Poirier was unable to continue and his bout with Eddie Alvarez was ruled a no-contest by referee Herb Dean. Dean declared that the knees, while illegal, where not intentional fouls, leading to the no-contest decision. Poirer has now stated his intention to … More The Legal Framework For Dustin Poirier’s UFC 211 No Contest Appeal

Language Barrier defense to USADA Drug Testing BJJ Athlete Dismissed

May 10, 2017

After wining gold in the 2016 International Brazilian Jiu Jistsu Federation (IBJJF) world championships, which took place in California,  Paulo Miyao was tested by USADA.  His sample tested positive for Clomiphene, a prohibited substance. Miyao argued that he should not be subject to any discipline as he speaks little English and USADA should not have jurisdiction … More Language Barrier defense to USADA Drug Testing BJJ Athlete Dismissed

Ringside Physician Sued in $50 Million Negligence Claim

May 8, 2017

On October 17, 2015 boxer Prichard Colon was left in a coma following a traumatic brain injury sustained in a bout with Terrel Williams.  According to a lawsuit filed by Colon’s legal guardians the fighter to this date “lies in a vegetative state at his mother’s home with no prospect of every regaining his faculties“. … More Ringside Physician Sued in $50 Million Negligence Claim

Brazil Overturns Gastelum TKO Win to No Contest for Marijuana

May 8, 2017

Update May 11, 2017 – today USADA announced that Gastelum accepted a 6 month period of ineligibility and this sanction was then reduced by three months “based on Gastelum’s successful completion of a USADA approved drug awareness and management program” making the USADA suspension match that handed out by the STJDMMA. ________________________________________ Following his TKO … More Brazil Overturns Gastelum TKO Win to No Contest for Marijuana

Study – Single Football Season Results in “Significant” Imaged Brain Changes

May 1, 2017

Although not combat sports related, an important study was published last month in journal Neuroimage: Clinical revealing the rapid toll on brain structure that a short span of repeated subconcussive hits can bring. In the recent study titled “The Effect of Repetitive Subconcussive Collisions on Brain Integrity in Collegiate Football Players over a Single Football … More Study – Single Football Season Results in “Significant” Imaged Brain Changes

UFC 157 Piracy Leads to $2,900 Damages Assessment

April 29, 2017

The usual fact pattern for UFC Pay Per View piracy is as follows A bar pirates the program A private investigator gets wind and documents the piracy Joe Hand Promotions (the commercial distributor for UFC PPV’s) sues and requests substantial damages Joe Hand wins but is awarded a fraction of the damages they wished Adding … More UFC 157 Piracy Leads to $2,900 Damages Assessment

Senator Runciman – Montreal Calling BJJ Illegal is “Inconceivable”

April 21, 2017

Two months ago I discussed legal developments in Quebec with Montreal shutting down Brazilian Jiu Jitsu contests threatening participants and promoters with criminal charges for illegal ‘prize fights’. The law  the police were threatening others with was never meant to apply to amateur grappling contests.  Several people, myself included, reached out to Senator Runciman, the … More Senator Runciman – Montreal Calling BJJ Illegal is “Inconceivable”