MMA Rules Committee To Discuss Removing 12-6 Elbow Foul and Redefining “Grounded” Fighter

Next week the Association of Boxing Commissions MMA Rules Committee will be discussing removing the 12-6 elbow as a foul and also further clarifying the definition of a grounded fighter. Recently data has been published demonstrating the 12-6 elbow is no more forceful than other legal elbows, whether from a standing or grounded position such … More MMA Rules Committee To Discuss Removing 12-6 Elbow Foul and Redefining “Grounded” Fighter

UFC Motion For Summary Judgement Denied in Antitrust Lawsuit

The now certified class action anti trust lawsuit against the UFC is getting ever closer to trial presently scheduled in April, 2024. This week one of the last remaining hurdles was removed. The UFC brought a motion for summary judgment which sought to dispose of the case in their favor prior to trial. Judge Boulware denied the … More UFC Motion For Summary Judgement Denied in Antitrust Lawsuit

Ontario Announces New “Combat Sports Advisory Council”

In 2019 Ontario passed a new Combative Sports Act into law. The legislation allows the overhaul of how combat sports are regulated in the Province. The law, however, has yet to come into force which will happen “on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor“.  Despite this very long passage of time it … More Ontario Announces New “Combat Sports Advisory Council”

Combat Sports Struck With Two Tragedies in Recent Weeks

A profound spinal cord injury and a profound brain injury. Two tragic outcomes in the combat sports community in recent weeks. This week Leah McCourt shared that MMA fighter Ryan Curtis suffered a severe spinal cord injury in training. In addition to the spinal cord injury he suffered “a broken back, broken neck and dislocated spine”. A … More Combat Sports Struck With Two Tragedies in Recent Weeks

Let’s Talk Admitted Doping for New or Returning Athletes to the UFC

This month the UFC’s new anti-doping policy has come into force. One area worth paying attention to is how new or returning athletes that admit to, or were known to be doping are treated under the policy. And whether overseeing Athletic Commissions treat them differently as the UFC’s in house anti-doping provisions are not binding on … More Let’s Talk Admitted Doping for New or Returning Athletes to the UFC

Study Calls For “Concerted Effort” To Improve Brain Health Awareness in Combat Sports 

The death and injury rate in boxing and other combat sports remain high and there is significant room for improvement of brain health knowledge for participants in these sports. That is the conclusion of a recent study diving into the injury and death rates in boxing. In the study, titled The spectrum of acute and chronic … More Study Calls For “Concerted Effort” To Improve Brain Health Awareness in Combat Sports 

Is Sport Structured Brain Trauma Child Abuse?

How old is old enough to consent to brain trauma? I’ve tackled this subject here previously. Its a worthwhile conversation. Last month a paper was published in the Journal of Sport, Ethics and Philosophy addressing this topic in detail. The authors go so far as to argue that full contact/combat sports amount to child abuse … More Is Sport Structured Brain Trauma Child Abuse?

UFC Fighters Given Until January 24, 2024 to Opt Out of Antitrust Class Action

Earlier this year a class action was certified against the UFC for alleged antitrust violations. The certification expanded the lawsuit from a handful of fighters to about 1,200. The case is set for jury trial in Las Vegas on April 8, 2024. The “class” of fighters caught by certification are as follows: “All persons who … More UFC Fighters Given Until January 24, 2024 to Opt Out of Antitrust Class Action

Study – Hook Punches Have Higher Risk of Traumatic Brain Injury

An article was published this month in the journal of Studies in Sports Medicine looking at brain injury risk from both linear (straight) punches and rotational (hook) punches. In short the authors found that straight punches likely lead to less brain damage risk and hook punches lead to more. The authors concluded as follows: “the … More Study – Hook Punches Have Higher Risk of Traumatic Brain Injury

Amanda Serrano and WBC in Sexism Standoff – Let’s Talk Science

Amanda Serrano is in a sexism based standoff with the WBC. In short the WBC will not sanction women to fight 3 minute rounds. They claim this is based in science. Serrano asks for the choice to fight under the same rules as men. Her post below speaks for itself. The WBC will not back … More Amanda Serrano and WBC in Sexism Standoff – Let’s Talk Science