Study – IQ Progressively Decreases in Children With Each Year of Muay Thai

This study is a few years old but came to my attention today when I was reading this recent article arguing that children under 15 should not be allowed to compete in full contact Muay Thai. In the article the authors cited a 2018 study of brain trauma in children who participate in Muay Thai. … More Study – IQ Progressively Decreases in Children With Each Year of Muay Thai

Study – Muay Thai Fighters Who Cut/Gain More Weight Have Advantage

A recent study was published tracking weight cuts / weight gains for Muay Thai athletes to see if there was any relationship with weight cutting and winning. In short there was. In the study, titled Rapid Weight Changes and Competitive Outcomes in Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts: A 14-Month Study of 24 Combat Sports … More Study – Muay Thai Fighters Who Cut/Gain More Weight Have Advantage

BC Overhauls Combat Sports Regulation

In Canada the Criminal Code makes all ‘prize fights’ (a broadly defined term that can even capture light contact and grappling events) illegal by default except amateur combat sports that are “on the programme of the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee“ The Criminal Code then gives individual Provinces the ability to change … More BC Overhauls Combat Sports Regulation

Ontario Announces New “Combat Sports Advisory Council”

In 2019 Ontario passed a new Combative Sports Act into law. The legislation allows the overhaul of how combat sports are regulated in the Province. The law, however, has yet to come into force which will happen “on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor“.  Despite this very long passage of time it … More Ontario Announces New “Combat Sports Advisory Council”

Senator Runciman: View that Pro Kickboxing Can’t Be Legal “Defies Logic”.

Last year I highlighted BC’s position that professional kickboxing and muay thai events are not allowed under the updated Section 83 of the Criminal Code.  The Senator that drafted the law responded disagreeing with the Province’s narrow interpretation of the law. Senator Runciman has since taken a stronger stance stating that BC’s interpretation of the law he … More Senator Runciman: View that Pro Kickboxing Can’t Be Legal “Defies Logic”.

Drafter of Bill S-209 Disagrees With BC’s Narrow Interpretation of the Law

Earlier this month I highlighted BC’s stance that professional kickboxing and muay thai events are not allowed under the updated Section 83 of the Criminal Code. BC interprets the ability of the Province to regulate pro MMA as excluding the sport’s component parts.  If this interpretation is correct than all of the competent sports that … More Drafter of Bill S-209 Disagrees With BC’s Narrow Interpretation of the Law

Why Pro Kickboxing / Muay Thai are Illegal in BC and What Can Be Done About It

Whether professional kickboxing and Muay Thai events can legally be sanctioned in Canada is debatable due to the present wording of Section 83 of the Criminal Code. As previously discussed, British Columbia has taken a very restrictive interpretation of section 83 and deem these sports illegal in the Province.   I reached out to BC’s … More Why Pro Kickboxing / Muay Thai are Illegal in BC and What Can Be Done About It

Professional Muay Thai and Kickboxing Will Remain Illegal in BC

When it comes to “Professional” combat sports, Section 83 of the Criminal Code makes them all illegal except a “boxing contest or mixed martial arts contest held in a province with the permission or under the authority of an athletic board, commission or similar body established by or under the authority of the province’s legislature … More Professional Muay Thai and Kickboxing Will Remain Illegal in BC

BC Athletic Commission Sets Rules For Amateur Muay Thai; Kickboxing Rules Still in Progress

(Image via Wikimedia) The BC Athletic Commissioner has now set out the rules for Amateur Muay Thai contests in British Columbia. Further to the powers given to the Commissioner via section 2(2) of Order in Council 2013-342, the Commissioner has adopted, on a provisional basis, the Association of Boxing Commissions Unified Rules and Guidelines for … More BC Athletic Commission Sets Rules For Amateur Muay Thai; Kickboxing Rules Still in Progress