Combat Sports Law

update – The below rules passed but the word Damage was replaced with Impact to appease objections from some commissions.  ________________________ As first reported by MMAFighting’s Marc Raimondi, the Association of Boxing Commission’s rules and regulations committee has released their proposed changes to MMA’s judging criteria.  These make it clear that, in a word, damage … More Damage, Damage, Damage. New MMA Rules To Tell it Like it Is

Today I had the pleasure of making an appearance on the Fight Network’s MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency discussing some of the latest legal topics in combat sports.   You can find the full interview here:   I’d like to thank Gabriel for having me as a guest. For those of you visiting here for the first time after listening welcome! … More Welcome Fight Network Viewers!

The UFC controversially used their discretion to waive the 4 month US Anti Doping Agency testing period for un-retiring athletes when Brock Lesnar returned for UFC 200.  Lesnar then reportedly failed 2 anti-doping tests in connection with the bout.  This has led to fallout on several fronts including calls by Lesnar’s opponent, Mark Hunt, to … More UFC Stalls New Fighter Emil Meek With 4 Month Testing Period

As reported by MixedMartialArts.com, the UFC has released Mirko “CroCop” Filipovic. Filipovic admitted to out of competition use of HGH shortly after being subject to USADA testing and earned the distinction of being the first fighter to be sanctioned under the UFC’s/USADA anti doping regime.  USADA hit Filipovic with a 2 year period of “ineligibility”. Interestingly, the … More Why Cro-Cop’s UFC Release Allows Him To Scoff at USADA’s 2 Year Ban

The MMA Fighters Association, an organization which has struggled in securing the public support of active UFC stars may have just found their most high profile spokesman thanks to an unusual source; performance enhancing drugs. In the wake of a $4 Billion sale, many fighters have been questioning their perceived value.  Movement for organization has … More “I Mean Shucks…” Mark Hunt Ready to Spearhead MMA Fighters Association

Update – January 4, 2017 – USADA has handed Lesnar a one year suspension which parallel’s the NAC’s.  USADA published this press release noting that Lesnar, 39, tested positive for clomiphene and its metabolite, 4-hydroxyclomiphene, following an out-of-competition urine test conducted on June 28, 2016, and an in-competition urine test conducted on July 9, 2016, … More Let’s Talk Brock Lesnar, Doping and Potential Legal Fallout

After the UFC somewhat controversially used their discretion to waive the 4 month anti-doping testing period for returning athletes, Brock Lesnar apparently failed an out of competition anti-doping test administered by USADA prior to UFC 200. Today the UFC published the following press release: “The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency … More Brock Lesnar Flagged For Potential Doping Violation

After a string of doping controversies the UFC unilaterally brought in the United States Anti Doping Agency to create and administer a custom made anti-doping program. The program got off to a slow start with a period of education followed by modest initial testing and slowly ramped-up to full speed.  In 2016 the program hit … More How Frequently are UFC Fighters Drug Tested? Perhaps More Than Any Other Athletes