The Body Lock’s aim is to report MMA, boxing and combat sports news accurately, quickly and fairly. This page explains how our stories are sourced, checked and published.
Sourcing
We go to the primary source wherever one exists: the promotion’s official announcement or results, the athletic commission’s records, the fighter’s or manager’s own statement or official social account, the court document, or our own interview. We link to it in the article.
When a story was first reported by another outlet, we name and link that outlet.
Figures, quotes and statistics are attributed to their source. Anonymous sources are used only when the information cannot be obtained another way, and the editor must know who the source is.
Social media posts are treated as a lead, not a confirmation, unless they come from the official account of the person or organisation concerned.
Checking and editing
- Every article carries the name of the writer, with a link to their profile. You can read about our writers on Our Team page.
- Each news article is reviewed by an editor before publication.
- Betting odds, records and rankings are checked at the time of writing and dated where they matter, because they change quickly.
- Guides and reviews are updated when the facts change.
News, analysis and opinion
News articles report what happened. Analysis, predictions and opinion pieces are labelled as such. Fight predictions are our writers’ opinion, based on their analysis of each matchup; they are not betting advice and no outcome is guaranteed.
Use of AI tools
Our reporters may use AI tools to help with research, transcription and first drafts. Every article is written or substantially edited, fact-checked and published by a named member of our team, who is responsible for its accuracy.
Press releases and sponsored content
Press releases are published in a separate, clearly labelled section and are not edited or endorsed by our newsroom. Sponsored articles are clearly labelled as sponsored. Advertisers have no say over our news coverage; see our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure.
Independence and conflicts of interest
No writer may be employed by, or receive payment from, a fight promotion, a fighter, an athlete management company or any other organisation we cover. We do not accept flights, hospitality or gifts from promotions, and we do not take part in sponsored press trips. No one at The Body Lock accepts payment or gifts in exchange for news coverage.
Images
We create many of our own graphics. Where we use other images, they are licensed, in the public domain, or credited to their source.
Mistakes
When we get something wrong, we fix it and say so. See our Corrections Policy.