Getting hit in the head is not good. How much head trauma is too much? As the executive director of the Sports Legacy Institute tells us, nobody really knows but the connection to CTE is clearly there – What is known, however, is that trauma is cumulative and there is only so much mileage an athlete … More Brain Injury in Boxing Increases With Level of Competition
Battle lines are being drawn and the biggest fight in the UFC’s 20 plus year history is shaping to take place. The fight, however, won’t be seen on pay per view, will not be consumed by millions of fans nor will it be fast paced and exciting. The fight is the timeless battle between labor … More The Biggest Fight in UFC History – Not Available on Pay Per View
Following the recent announcement that UFC Fighters have secured “backing” from the Teamsters, further details are coming to light. Today Unite Here has issued the following press release – Las Vegas, NV – Today, two of the largest unions in the “fight capital” of the world launched an initiative to organize MMA fighters in the … More Teamsters and Unite Here Seek to Organize UFC Fighters
UFC Fighters guilty of doping violations that are used to leniency from Athletic Commissions by using excuses such as “I took some tainted supplements” or “it must have been in an energy drink” are in for a rude awakening under the new UFC/USADA Anti-Doping Policy. There are no shortage of USADA arbitration decisions to choose … More USADA Doping Archives – Unintentional In Competition Ephedrine Use Leads to 2 Year Ban
Mike Coughlan,a reporter at HalfGuarded, has authored a worthwhile piece examining USADA’s “prohibited association” provisions and the problems these can create for UFC athletes. The article is worth reviewing in full and can be found here. In short, the UFC Anti-Doping Policy prohibits all athletes from associating with any “Athlete Support Person” (defined to include … More USADA/UFC Anti-Doping Policy and Consqequences of “Prohibited Association”
Update September 14, 2105 – Shields admitted to regulatory misconduct at a hearing today before the NSAC. He was not fined nor suspended but ordered to complete 50 hours of community service for his transgression. Update August 5, 2015 – the NSAC has now issued a temporary suspension to both Shields and Palhares following their … More Let’s Talk “Disreputable” Conduct and Suspensions Arising From WSOF 22
The Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association, led by lawyer Robert Maysey, has been working for almost a decade to provide a unified voice to seek reforms to benefit professional fighters. I have been advised that yesterday, at the annual Association of Boxing Commissions meeting in San Diego, it was announced that the MMAFA has now … More MMA Fighters Association Get Backing From Teamsters Union
This week Zuffa, parent company of the UFC, has sued Wanderlei Silva alleging defamation and business disparagement. In short, the lawsuit highlights a host of critical comments Silva made about the UFC and specifically points to comments of alleged fixed fights as crossing the line. The full claim can be found here – Zuffa Lawsuit Wanderlei … More Zuffa Sues Wanderlei Silva Alleging Defamation and Business Disparagement
Earlier this year when the above video of what appeared to be a significant mismatch at the XPlode Fight Series made the rounds on the internet Suzanne Davis (whom I only have the pleasure of knowing via her twitter handle @SoozieCuzie) decided to do some digging into the quality of matchmaking of this MMA organization. … More Not All MMA Records Are Created Equally
Today a Federal Court Judge in Nevada dismissed Zuffa’s attempts to delay their discovery obligations in the multiple anti trust lawsuits facing the MMA industry leading UFC. Zuffa was hoping to stall their obligations until their motion to dismiss the lawsuit is heard but the Court refused to do so. With Zuffa being forced to open … More Zuffa Loses Bid To Delay Discovery Obligations in Anti Trust Lawsuits
Combat Sports Law 