Fragmentation in the Struggle for MMA Fighter Unity

August 11, 2016

For the better part of a decade lawyer Rob Maysey has been pushing for a more equitable labor landscape for professional MMA athletes through the Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association.  Mayesey’s efforts have included lobbying for State legislative reform, Federal legislative reform, an anti-trust lawsuit against the sport’s biggest promoter and vocally creating awareness of current … More Fragmentation in the Struggle for MMA Fighter Unity

The TRT Papers – Mixed Martial Arts’ Skeletons in the Closet

August 9, 2016

Remember the days when UFC and other Mixed Martial Arts athletes were legally allowed to use steroids (testosterone)? If not here’s a brief reminder.  Athletes wanted exogenous testosterone.  A prohibited substance both in and out of competition.  The loophole?  They would tell athletic commissions (or the UFC in events they self regulate) that they suffered … More The TRT Papers – Mixed Martial Arts’ Skeletons in the Closet

UFC Athletes Averaging 6% Bodyweight Cut During Fight Week

August 6, 2016

The dangers of rapid extreme weight cuts played a central role at this year’s Association of Boxing Commissions annual meeting with both medical and legal risks associated with the practice being discussed. Jeff Novitizky, the UFC’s Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, noted the following weigh in data (expressed as the percentage of weight … More UFC Athletes Averaging 6% Bodyweight Cut During Fight Week

ABC Adopts Overhaul to MMA’s Unified Rules

August 2, 2016

Further Update August 3, 2016 – Today the ABC unanimously agreed to aim for January 1, 2017 as the target date for each commission to get these new rules in force ________________________________ Update – The rules voted on were revised at the last minute and replaced the word “damage” to “impact” in the revised judging … More ABC Adopts Overhaul to MMA’s Unified Rules

UFC 155 Piracy Leads to $4,300 Damage Assessment

July 30, 2016

Adding to this site’s archived case summaries of UFC Pay Per View piracy prosecutions, reasons for judgement were released recently by the US District Court, S.D. Texas, Houston Division granting default judgement and assessing damages following the commercial piracy of UFC 155. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. Menendez) the Defendant displayed … More UFC 155 Piracy Leads to $4,300 Damage Assessment

Inspector General Slams New York State Athletic Commission

July 27, 2016

The New York State Athletic Commission, a regulator whose powers have been greatly expanded through recent legislative overhaul of New York’s combat sports landscape, has come under harsh criticism by Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott. Scott, who was tasked with scrutinizing the NYSAC after a heavyweight boxer sustained a brain injury in a 2013 bout at … More Inspector General Slams New York State Athletic Commission

Court Strikes Sensible Balance in UFC Piracy Case

July 24, 2016

Adding to this site’s archived case summaries involving UFC PPV piracy awards, reasons for judgement were released this week by the US District Court, ND Indiana, Hammond Division, assessing damages following the commercial piracy of UFC 168. In this week’s case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc v. Chapman) the Defendant displayed UFC 168 at a Lounge … More Court Strikes Sensible Balance in UFC Piracy Case

Let’s Talk Steroids, Science and Dangers in Combat Sports

July 22, 2016

(Update July 23, 2106 – Using this spreadsheet documenting reported MMA PED test failures to date, I reviewed all in-competition test failures.  The data reveals that athletes using prohibited substances in-competition won 45 times and lost 65 times.  Removing the marijuana tests from the equation skews the results a little but caught PED using athletes … More Let’s Talk Steroids, Science and Dangers in Combat Sports

Shlemenko Doping Penalties Reduced – Full Judicial Reasons

July 21, 2016

Last year the California State Athletic Commission fined Alexander Shlemenko and handed him a three year suspension after “testing positive for steroids”. As previously reported the regulatory hearing left much to be desired from a perspective of due process and objective fairness.  Shlemenko judicially reviewed the CSAC’s decision and in part succeeded by having his fine … More Shlemenko Doping Penalties Reduced – Full Judicial Reasons