South Carolina Becomes First State to Approve “Two vs Two” Mixed Martial Arts

August 17, 2015

Update September 29, 2015- The below event has now indeed taken place.  You can click here for details as reported at BJPenn.com. _________________________________ “Arena Combat”, a two on two variation of mixed martial arts hosted in an arena equipped with padded obstacles, has recently been approved by the South Carolina Athletic Commission. The SCAC has the … More South Carolina Becomes First State to Approve “Two vs Two” Mixed Martial Arts

UFC Piracy Investigator Accused of “Entrapping” Defendant in Piracy Prosecution

August 15, 2015

In my ongoing efforts highlighting the prosecution of UFC Pay Per View piracy cases, reasons for judgement were released this month by the US District Court, D. Hawaii, with some troubling allegations. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc v. Chalfont) the Plaintiff company, who has commercial licencing rights for various UFC pay per … More UFC Piracy Investigator Accused of “Entrapping” Defendant in Piracy Prosecution

Anderson Silva Suspended For One Year, Fined $380,000 For Doping

August 13, 2015

After months of delay following positive findings for the anabolic steroids drostanolone and androsterone and further positive findings for banned in-competition Benodiazepines Anderson Silva learned his fate before the Nevada State Athletic Commission which streamed live on UFC’s fightpass. The NSAC had little time for Silva’s ‘Thai Sex Liquid defense’ and found him liable for doping violations.  The hearing … More Anderson Silva Suspended For One Year, Fined $380,000 For Doping

The Problems With Anderson Silva’s “Viagra Defence ” Under Anti-Doping Standards

August 12, 2015

The ‘tainted supplement‘ defense is about as boilerplate as it gets when it comes to doping allegations in combat sports.  This week Anderson Silva is scheduled to appear before the Nevada State Athletic Commission to answer to positive findings for drostanolone metabolites, a banned anabolic agent, which were detected in an out-of-competition test and then … More The Problems With Anderson Silva’s “Viagra Defence ” Under Anti-Doping Standards

Arkansas Athletic Commission Introduces Rapid Extreme Weight Cut Reform

August 10, 2015

Rapid Extreme Weight Cuts are one of the most dangerous and least regulated practices in combat sports.  (You can click here to access this site’s archived posts addressing the topic). Today it was announced (first reported by MMA’s official record keeper Kirik Jenness) that the Arkansas State Athletic Commission has passed regulatory reforms to address … More Arkansas Athletic Commission Introduces Rapid Extreme Weight Cut Reform

How Many UFC Fighters Are Not Subject To Their Anti-Doping Program?

August 10, 2015

When the UFC announced their aggressive anti doping program (and to their credit the most robust in professional sports) they basically acknowledged they are unilaterally moving forward with the program and will cross legal barriers as they arise. The biggest legal barrier?  Athlete consent.  It seems some athletes simply are not contractually bound by this program … More How Many UFC Fighters Are Not Subject To Their Anti-Doping Program?

Brain Injury in Boxing Increases With Level of Competition

August 10, 2015

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

The Biggest Fight in UFC History – Not Available on Pay Per View

August 10, 2015

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

Teamsters and Unite Here Seek to Organize UFC Fighters

August 6, 2015

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

USADA Doping Archives – Unintentional In Competition Ephedrine Use Leads to 2 Year Ban

August 6, 2015

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