A Sensible Solution to the Marijuana Issue in Combat Sports

September 16, 2015

Lost in the discussions of the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s draconian punishment of Nick Diaz and the far from ideal circumstances of his hearing is the fatal flaw in modern day athletic commission testing for marijuana. Marijuana is, by WADA and by most athletic commission standards, only banned in competition (as opposed to steroids and … More A Sensible Solution to the Marijuana Issue in Combat Sports

Welcome Vice Readers – A Sober Look at the Nick Diaz Saga

September 15, 2015

Today I had the pleasure of sharing my thoughts on the NSAC’s 5 year suspension of Nick Diaz with Michael Martin, JD, Content Manager at DTLA’s Strong Sports Gym at Fightland.com and ViceSports. For those visiting for the first time welcome!  You can click here to read my previous discussion on Diaz’s run ins with the NSAC for … More Welcome Vice Readers – A Sober Look at the Nick Diaz Saga

California Rules Being Broken For Bellator Tournament?

September 11, 2015

Update September 17, 2015 – Today Andy Foster of the CSAC was kind enough to call to add some clarity to this situation.  Foster states that the names were drawn following Bellator’s last California event, that these were drawn by a CSAC inspector under his supervision.  In terms of how the CSAC deviated from s. … More California Rules Being Broken For Bellator Tournament?

Does the Nevada State Athletic Commission Have a Blood Doping Loophole?

September 9, 2015

Further update October 2016 – Effective September 2016 Nevada updated their combat sports regulations including adopting WADA’s prohibited methods which close the blood-doping loophole and prohibit the use of IV for re-hydration with limited exceptions. _________________________________ Update September 17, 2015 – The NSAC has yet to reply and address this issue.  I should note, however, … More Does the Nevada State Athletic Commission Have a Blood Doping Loophole?

MMA Results In More Overall Injuries Than Boxing but Less Brain Trauma Study Reports

September 5, 2015

Adding to this site’s archives canvassing safety studies in combat sports, a study was recently published in The Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine comparing boxing and MMA injury rates over a 13 year period. The study, titled Combative Sports Injuries: An Edmonton Retrospective, reviewed post fight medical exams for combat sports bouts in Edmonton from … More MMA Results In More Overall Injuries Than Boxing but Less Brain Trauma Study Reports

UFC 148 Piracy Leads to $11,848 Court Judgement

September 3, 2015

Adding to this site’s archived decisions of UFC Pay Per View piracy cases, reasons for judgement were released this week by the US District Court, D. South Carolina, awarding damages and attorney fees of over $11,000 following commercial piracy of UFC 148. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. AFSB) the Defendant, who … More UFC 148 Piracy Leads to $11,848 Court Judgement

USADA Doping Archives – Punishments Start From Date of Final Hearing

August 25, 2015

As previously discussed, the UFC’s new anti-doping policy largely mirrors the World Anti Doping Code making USADA arbitration decisions highly relevant to UFC fighters.  If UFC fighters want to see what punishments will look like under the new UFC policy they need look no further than to USADA arbitration decisions.  To this end I will … More USADA Doping Archives – Punishments Start From Date of Final Hearing

WSOF’s Planned Elimination Tournament Faces Regulatory Obstacles

August 24, 2015

Update – WSOF is now apparently seeking to change venue after learning elimination tournaments are illegal in Washington State.  Ariel Helwani posted the following tweet – ________________________________________ Earlier today MMAJunkie reported that the World Series of Fighting plans a one night eight man elimination tournament to be held in Seattle in November with the following … More WSOF’s Planned Elimination Tournament Faces Regulatory Obstacles

Headgear Revisited – Study Suggests Increased Head Clashes Reason to Bring Back Headgear in Amateur Boxing

August 24, 2015

A study was recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reviewing the Amateur International Boxing Association’s recent rule change to remove headgear from international competition. In the recent study (Because Not All Blows To the Head are the Same) the authors suggest that one type of impact, namely head clashes, can lead to … More Headgear Revisited – Study Suggests Increased Head Clashes Reason to Bring Back Headgear in Amateur Boxing

$110,000 Claim Following UFC 165 Piracy Rejected; $3,250 in Damages Suggested

August 24, 2015

In the latest prosecution alleging UFC pay per view piracy, reasons for judgement were released recently by the US District Court, E.D. California, assessing damages at a fraction of what was claimed. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. Al-Arshad) the Defendant operated a commercial establishment and displayed UFC 165 on five television sets. … More $110,000 Claim Following UFC 165 Piracy Rejected; $3,250 in Damages Suggested