New York Legally in-bounds for Suspending Fighters That Miss Weight

November 23, 2016

After overseeing their first professional MMA contest after the sport was legalized in New York, the State’s athletic commission is coming under scrutiny for the suspensions they are handing out to fighters. Two such suspensions were for missing weight with Thiago Alves suspended 3 months for missing weight and Kelvin Gastelum suspended for  6 months … More New York Legally in-bounds for Suspending Fighters That Miss Weight

CABMAA Changes Stewart v. Barroso to No Contest after “Self Evident Error”

November 22, 2016

In 2015, after what was considered one of the worst stoppages in UFC history, the Brazilian MMA Commission (CABMAA) adopted a rule change allowing bouts to be changed to a no-contest in the case of self-evident error.  Today, as first reported by Guilherme Cruz, CABMMA used this power for a second time to change Francimar Barroso’s … More CABMAA Changes Stewart v. Barroso to No Contest after “Self Evident Error”

Pay Per View Piracy Settlement Details Revealed After Defendant Defaults on Payments

November 22, 2016

While reasons for judgement reveal litigation strategies when Joe Hand Promotions sues commercial establishments for UFC pay per view piracy details of cases that settle out of court are rarely revealed.  Recent reasons for judgement, however, detail a settlement agreement Joe Hand Promotions accepted after a Defendant defaulted on payments. In the recent case (Joe … More Pay Per View Piracy Settlement Details Revealed After Defendant Defaults on Payments

Returning to Combat Sports After Sustaining a Concussion

November 20, 2016

An article was published in the latest edition of the South African Journal of Sports Medicine levying criticism at professional boxing’s lack of standardized protocols for athletes to return to training/competition after suffering concussive injury. The article, authored by Dr. Sethi from the Department of Neurology, New York Presbyterian Hospital is titled “Post-concussion return to … More Returning to Combat Sports After Sustaining a Concussion

Roy Nelson Suspended 9 Months, Fined $24,000 For Kicking Referee

November 17, 2016

Update – following a public apology Nelson’s suspension was reduced to 6 months ____________________________________ At UFC Fight Night 95 Roy Nelson unceremoniously kicked referee John McCarthy after a perceived late stoppage.  This upset the heavyweight who believes he had to then inflict unnecessary damage on his opponent. Brazil’s Superior Justice Court of Sport reviewed the … More Roy Nelson Suspended 9 Months, Fined $24,000 For Kicking Referee

Of Known Cases Professional Boxers Show Most Debilitating CTE Symptoms

November 17, 2016

(Image via this PBS article) A worthwhile study was recently published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology discussing what is known and not known about CTE in athletes competing in contact sports. In the study, titled “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Athletes Involved with High-Impact Sports” the authors reviewed major clinical studies identifying CTE … More Of Known Cases Professional Boxers Show Most Debilitating CTE Symptoms

Boxing Canada Warns Athletes of Perils of Rapid Extreme Weight Cutting

November 17, 2016

A useful powerpoint presentation created by Dr. Kien Trinh was recently published by Boxing Canada warning athletes about the perils of Rapid Extreme Weight Cut practices. The presentation is user-friendly and worth reading in full.  Titled “Making Weight in Boxing – How to do it Better“, it can be found here. In short the noted … More Boxing Canada Warns Athletes of Perils of Rapid Extreme Weight Cutting

Study – Boxers Enjoy No Competitive Advantage From Rapid Weight Cut Practices

November 17, 2016

Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies and weight cut reform articles, a study was recently published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance addressing the impact of rapid weight loss / gain and the outcome of boxing bouts. In the study, titled “Weight Re-Gain is Not Linked to Success in … More Study – Boxers Enjoy No Competitive Advantage From Rapid Weight Cut Practices

Lyoto Machida Accepts 18 Month USADA Suspension

November 16, 2016

Today the United States Anti-Doping Agency revealed that UFC fighter Lyoto Machida was handed an 18 month suspension for an anti doping policy violation stemming from both admitted use followed by a failed test taken out of competition. The reduced penalty, which has a baseline of 2 years for this violation, was apparently due to … More Lyoto Machida Accepts 18 Month USADA Suspension

Court Finds Federal Piracy Statutes Can Be Used to Prosecute Internet Streaming

November 15, 2016

Adding to this site’s archived posts addressing combat sports piracy, reasons for judgement were released recently by the US District Court, E.D. New York, finding that federal piracy statutes can be used in a piracy prosecution involving internet streaming. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc v. Maupin) the UFC’s parent Company (Zuffa) along … More Court Finds Federal Piracy Statutes Can Be Used to Prosecute Internet Streaming