Comments on: UFC files lawsuit against Randy Couture http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/ Your Destination for Insider MMA News and Opinion Thu, 17 May 2012 03:28:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Jacob http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-19205 Jacob Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:33:31 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-19205 Danna is a smilefish someone that will try to get money out of your pocket. Randy stated that ever since UFC got taken over by danna they have been trying to make things bad for him. I understand if he dont wanna swim upstream especially his last years as a fighter. I think he did it in a clumsy way, but i think it was the right decision... i enjoy UFC but i can see threw the smoke and water, the management is using alot of fighters, making money out of fighters undoing. The judges are questionable often allowing to much punishment and in the end its bad for the fighters... getting injured and being away 1 year for recovery is not in the intresst of the sport. Danna is a smilefish someone that will try to get money out of your pocket. Randy stated that ever since UFC got taken over by danna they have been trying to make things bad for him. I understand if he dont wanna swim upstream especially his last years as a fighter. I think he did it in a clumsy way, but i think it was the right decision… i enjoy UFC but i can see threw the smoke and water, the management is using alot of fighters, making money out of fighters undoing. The judges are questionable often allowing to much punishment and in the end its bad for the fighters… getting injured and being away 1 year for recovery is not in the intresst of the sport.

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]]> By: don http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-15376 don Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:30:28 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-15376 danna white is screwing up what he started it would never be where it is with out him but the way hes getting rid of fighters and sponsors he should be bounced mma is the bomb and he should drop his ego and let stuff happen danna get in the ring with liddell and get your bell rang and get back on track with what you started danna white is screwing up what he started it would never be where it is with out him but the way hes getting rid of fighters and sponsors he should be bounced mma is the bomb and he should drop his ego and let stuff happen danna get in the ring with liddell and get your bell rang and get back on track with what you started

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]]> By: OklahomaOgre http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-12622 OklahomaOgre Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:25:27 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-12622 Randy C. signed a contract. Randy C. did not fulfill that contract. Randy C. is now paying the price for not fulfilling his obligations. UFC is suing Randy C. UFC is losing a champion. UFC has a huge list of up-and-comers to fill that void. Will Randy C. feel the effects of this litigation? Most likely. Will the UFC feel the effects of this litigation? Highly unlikely. Was Randy C. a great fighter? Yes. Should UFC have let Randy C. fight Fedor? Probably. Will I be watching UFC 81+? You bet your @$$ I will be. Randy C. signed a contract.
Randy C. did not fulfill that contract.
Randy C. is now paying the price for not fulfilling his obligations.

UFC is suing Randy C.
UFC is losing a champion.
UFC has a huge list of up-and-comers to fill that void.

Will Randy C. feel the effects of this litigation? Most likely.
Will the UFC feel the effects of this litigation? Highly unlikely.

Was Randy C. a great fighter? Yes.
Should UFC have let Randy C. fight Fedor? Probably.
Will I be watching UFC 81+? You bet your @$$ I will be.

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]]> By: Corey Robinson http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-12563 Corey Robinson Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:47:40 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-12563 I'm surprised it took this long..With UFC growing there are going to be things like this happen,and out in the public eye more.But if Randy is having trouble finding a challenging fight,lol,Drop down weight and let "Rampage" give ya good-bye whoopin..lmao I’m surprised it took this long..With UFC growing there are going to be things like this happen,and out in the public eye more.But if Randy is having trouble finding a challenging fight,lol,Drop down weight and let “Rampage” give ya good-bye whoopin..lmao

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]]> By: david http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-12405 david Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:50:22 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-12405 the ufc only has that retarded show so that they can fill the undercard and pay those fighters like crap in exchange for exposure, but the new people just starting to watch it dont know the difference, but fans from the early ninetys know exactly whats goin on, ya aint fooling nobody the ufc only has that retarded show so that they can fill the undercard and pay those fighters like crap in exchange for exposure, but the new people just starting to watch it dont know the difference, but fans from the early ninetys know exactly whats goin on, ya aint fooling nobody

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]]> By: Scott http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-12297 Scott Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:53:46 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-12297 To me, this is bad judgement on Dana White's behalf. He is burning bridges. He is obviously a great marketing and business mind, but when it comes to relationships it seems he is awful... and ultimately business is about building relationships. I'm a huge fan of Couture The more I see and here of Dana White the less I like him. I think Dana needs to show more respect and consider where he might be without the veterans like Randy that helped build his UFC empire. If he continues to burn bridges it's just a matter of time before two or three more really big names have had enough of Dana's temper tantrums and support or start a another rival league. One guy like couture can attract a lot of fans and fighters away from the UFC. Dana better pray that Coutures networking skills aren't so good or this is the kind of brige burning that can signal the beginning of the end for the UFC. To me, this is bad judgement on Dana White’s behalf. He is burning bridges.
He is obviously a great marketing and business mind, but when it comes to relationships it seems he is awful… and ultimately business is about building relationships.

I’m a huge fan of Couture
The more I see and here of Dana White the less I like him. I think Dana needs to show more respect and consider where he might be without the veterans like Randy that helped build his UFC empire. If he continues to burn bridges it’s just a matter of time before two or three more really big names have had enough of Dana’s temper tantrums and support or start a another rival league. One guy like couture can attract a lot of fans and fighters away from the UFC. Dana better pray that Coutures networking skills aren’t so good or this is the kind of brige burning that can signal the beginning of the end for the UFC.

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]]> By: Chuck liddell fan http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-12230 Chuck liddell fan Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:37:26 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-12230 Come on Dana Randy really didnt do that much wrong he is by far one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts today. You are willing to throw him away just for a little thing like that? That is bullshit. Come on Dana Randy really didnt do that much wrong he is by far one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts today. You are willing to throw him away just for a little thing like that? That is bullshit.

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]]> By: Mike http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-12202 Mike Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:21:00 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-12202 Well I've been a fan of the UFC since its inception when the Gracie's formed it! I think Dana White has done a good job with his CONNECTIONS in bringing the sport back from the jungle!!! I know Randy is a straight shooter and there is more to this than what is being released to the public... Think about it Dana usually comes straight out and tells it like it is and now he can only make small comments that really dont tell the story. They haven't even talked about it in any of their programs or events? I feel that Dana should come out with Randy and both state their sides to let us the Fans the heart of this sport know what the issues are then we can decide... Until he does this I'm suspecious of whats taken place and I dont plan on attending or purchasing any of their products! Dont hide behind your lawyers... Dana and your CONNECTIONS deep pockets!!! You never have before why now? Well I’ve been a fan of the UFC since its inception when the Gracie’s formed it! I think Dana White has done a good job with his CONNECTIONS in bringing the sport back from the jungle!!! I know Randy is a straight shooter and there is more to this than what is being released to the public… Think about it Dana usually comes straight out and tells it like it is and now he can only make small comments that really dont tell the story. They haven’t even talked about it in any of their programs or events?

I feel that Dana should come out with Randy and both state their sides to let us the Fans the heart of this sport know what the issues are then we can decide… Until he does this I’m suspecious of whats taken place and I dont plan on attending or purchasing any of their products!

Dont hide behind your lawyers… Dana and your CONNECTIONS deep pockets!!! You never have before why now?

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]]> By: ellisworld http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-12188 ellisworld Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:07:01 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-12188 I don't know about the contract part of the lawsuit but Randy's 1st ammendments rights will over rule Zuffa's claim of "damage to thier name" no problem. If not in the Vegas court sysem than certainly in the higher courts. Zuffa and thier lawyers know that but they want public opinion on thier side. It seems like it is workng. I'm a journalism student and I have studied many court cases about freedom of speech. The reason Zuffa is implicating others and claiming conspirisy is because they must prove mal intent in order to be awarded compensatory and punitive damages. It is a longshot in the very least and very hard to prove, especially against a 1st amm. right. I don’t know about the contract part of the lawsuit but Randy’s 1st ammendments rights will over rule Zuffa’s claim of “damage to thier name” no problem. If not in the Vegas court sysem than certainly in the higher courts. Zuffa and thier lawyers know that but they want public opinion on thier side. It seems like it is workng.

I’m a journalism student and I have studied many court cases about freedom of speech. The reason Zuffa is implicating others and claiming conspirisy is because they must prove mal intent in order to be awarded compensatory and punitive damages. It is a longshot in the very least and very hard to prove, especially against a 1st amm. right.

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]]> By: Ivan Trembow http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-11496 Ivan Trembow Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:54:33 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-11496 It’s hard to say how this case is going to turn out, but I’d expect that Randy Couture would defintely be bound to Zuffa until October 2008, and that the one-year no-compete clause after that would also probably hold up in court because no-compete clauses of one year or less usually do hold up in court. So, at that point it would be October of 2009 and Couture would be 46 years old. The obvious question at that point is, “What could Couture possibly accomplish in MMA when he’s 46 years old?” but then again Couture defied the odds at 43 years old to win the UFC Heavyweight Title and then successfully defended it when he was 44 years old, so who knows? The issue goes beyond October of 2009, however, as Zuffa is essentially trying to make Randy Couture their property for life with these clauses regarding contracts being able to be “extended indefinitely” if a fighter is unable to accept a fight for any reason whatsoever (whether it’s injury, resigning from the company, or anything else). That amounts to a no-compete clause for all of time, and there’s no way that is legal or would hold up in court. No-compete clauses lasting more than one year have a horrible track record of holding up in court. Heck, the UFC wouldn’t have been able to sign their latest headliner, Brock Lesnar, if not for the fact that WWE was basically getting their ass kicked in court when they tried to enforce the six-year no-compete clause that Brock Lesnar signed (as part of the WWE contract from which Lesnar quit just months after signing due to the stress of being on the road in WWE). In addition, the so-called “champion’s clause,” where the UFC tries to essentially claim ownership of a fighter if he is one of their champions, is not likely to hold up in court. In a previous case where BJ Penn won a UFC title on the last fight of his UFC contract and then went to fight for more money in K-1 Hero’s shortly thereafter, Zuffa sued him on the grounds that the “champion’s clause” in the contract that he signed should have made him bound to Zuffa even though his title victory over Hughes was the last fight on Penn’s contract. As with Lesnar and WWE, that was not going well for Zuffa in court and just as with Lesnar it led to a rather one-sided settlement that very much favored the individual (Lesnar, Penn) over the corporation (WWE, Zuffa). The IFL thing would be a fairly blatant violation of Couture’s no-compete clause if he was actually the coach of that team in the IFL, but he’s not, nor was he ever scheduled to be. Shawn Tompkins is. The only potential issue there is the fact that the word “Couture” is in the name of the gym that Shawn Tompkins coaches out of (ie, “Team Xtreme Couture”). This could be a non-issue by tomorrow if they just change the name of the IFL team to “Team Tompkins,” with the same coach that it was always going to have: Shawn Tompkins. So, basically, Zuffa would obviously have an air-tight case when it comes to their contract with Randy Couture through October 2008, and would probably have a good case when it comes to the one-year no-compete clause if indeed there is such a clause in the contract with very clear language detailing it, so that would lock Couture up contractually through October 2009, but beyond that, I think they have a very weak case as far as their efforts to lock Couture up contractually for the rest of his life. It’s hard to say how this case is going to turn out, but I’d expect that Randy Couture would defintely be bound to Zuffa until October 2008, and that the one-year no-compete clause after that would also probably hold up in court because no-compete clauses of one year or less usually do hold up in court.

So, at that point it would be October of 2009 and Couture would be 46 years old. The obvious question at that point is, “What could Couture possibly accomplish in MMA when he’s 46 years old?” but then again Couture defied the odds at 43 years old to win the UFC Heavyweight Title and then successfully defended it when he was 44 years old, so who knows?

The issue goes beyond October of 2009, however, as Zuffa is essentially trying to make Randy Couture their property for life with these clauses regarding contracts being able to be “extended indefinitely” if a fighter is unable to accept a fight for any reason whatsoever (whether it’s injury, resigning from the company, or anything else). That amounts to a no-compete clause for all of time, and there’s no way that is legal or would hold up in court. No-compete clauses lasting more than one year have a horrible track record of holding up in court.

Heck, the UFC wouldn’t have been able to sign their latest headliner, Brock Lesnar, if not for the fact that WWE was basically getting their ass kicked in court when they tried to enforce the six-year no-compete clause that Brock Lesnar signed (as part of the WWE contract from which Lesnar quit just months after signing due to the stress of being on the road in WWE).

In addition, the so-called “champion’s clause,” where the UFC tries to essentially claim ownership of a fighter if he is one of their champions, is not likely to hold up in court. In a previous case where BJ Penn won a UFC title on the last fight of his UFC contract and then went to fight for more money in K-1 Hero’s shortly thereafter, Zuffa sued him on the grounds that the “champion’s clause” in the contract that he signed should have made him bound to Zuffa even though his title victory over Hughes was the last fight on Penn’s contract. As with Lesnar and WWE, that was not going well for Zuffa in court and just as with Lesnar it led to a rather one-sided settlement that very much favored the individual (Lesnar, Penn) over the corporation (WWE, Zuffa).

The IFL thing would be a fairly blatant violation of Couture’s no-compete clause if he was actually the coach of that team in the IFL, but he’s not, nor was he ever scheduled to be. Shawn Tompkins is. The only potential issue there is the fact that the word “Couture” is in the name of the gym that Shawn Tompkins coaches out of (ie, “Team Xtreme Couture”). This could be a non-issue by tomorrow if they just change the name of the IFL team to “Team Tompkins,” with the same coach that it was always going to have: Shawn Tompkins.

So, basically, Zuffa would obviously have an air-tight case when it comes to their contract with Randy Couture through October 2008, and would probably have a good case when it comes to the one-year no-compete clause if indeed there is such a clause in the contract with very clear language detailing it, so that would lock Couture up contractually through October 2009, but beyond that, I think they have a very weak case as far as their efforts to lock Couture up contractually for the rest of his life.

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]]> By: Evan http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-11461 Evan Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:11:28 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-11461 I am all about some Project Mayhem I am all about some Project Mayhem

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]]> By: Mike Wolfe http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-11459 Mike Wolfe Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:05:43 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-11459 Yet another example of the man trying to keep us down. Fight the power. Yet another example of the man trying to keep us down. Fight the power.

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]]> By: hindsightufuk http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-11456 hindsightufuk Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:47:53 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-11456 Dana White thinks he is friends with every UFC fighter. he reminds me of the rich kid at school who used to have to buy loads of weed so he could hang around with the big boys. when he wasnt about, the big boys called him an ass licker, and if ever there was a falling out, the rich kid would go running to the headmaster. Fuck Dana White Dana White thinks he is friends with every UFC fighter.

he reminds me of the rich kid at school who used to have to buy loads of weed so he could hang around with the big boys. when he wasnt about, the big boys called him an ass licker, and if ever there was a falling out, the rich kid would go running to the headmaster.

Fuck Dana White

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]]> By: Evan http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-11455 Evan Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:26:15 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-11455 Ah, I didn't see the video. Videos posted on blogs are blocked on my work browser. Ah, I didn’t see the video. Videos posted on blogs are blocked on my work browser.

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]]> By: Mike Wolfe http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-11454 Mike Wolfe Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:22:57 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-11454 Couture is wearing a sling and talks about the injury in the clip on this site about his charity poker tournament. Not only was his arm in a sling, he looked smaller in overall body mass. He doesn't look like he's carrying heavy weight size at this point. Couture is wearing a sling and talks about the injury in the clip on this site about his charity poker tournament. Not only was his arm in a sling, he looked smaller in overall body mass. He doesn’t look like he’s carrying heavy weight size at this point.

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]]> By: Sergio http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-11452 Sergio Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:55:02 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-11452 Re: #39 He did it in training... there is a video on rawvegas.tv for a poker tournament Randy has something to do with where his cast is brought up. Re: #39

He did it in training… there is a video on rawvegas.tv for a poker tournament Randy has something to do with where his cast is brought up.

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]]> By: Evan http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-11451 Evan Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:52:23 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-11451 He broke it checking a kick in practice from Jay White. Someone told me that but word is starting to come out on it. Check out his recent pics from his poker thing he just did. His arm is in a sling. He broke it checking a kick in practice from Jay White. Someone told me that but word is starting to come out on it. Check out his recent pics from his poker thing he just did. His arm is in a sling.

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]]> By: Captain http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-11449 Captain Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:45:38 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-11449 "As I previously said, Randy just broke his arm again. Same arm. He won’t be doing anything soon." How? Any news on that? “As I previously said, Randy just broke his arm again. Same arm. He won’t be doing anything soon.”

How? Any news on that?

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]]> By: Evan http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-11448 Evan Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:35:14 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-11448 "and then maybe a rematch with Big Tim or Gonzaga in the Summer" As I previously said, Randy just broke his arm again. Same arm. He won't be doing anything soon. “and then maybe a rematch with Big Tim or Gonzaga in the Summer”

As I previously said, Randy just broke his arm again. Same arm. He won’t be doing anything soon.

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]]> By: Zack http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/comment-page-1/#comment-11447 Zack Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:22:42 +0000 http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/15/ufc-files-lawsuit-against-randy-couture/#comment-11447 I feel for Randy, but it seems he miscalculated his contract and his leverage. He would have been better off keeping his mouth shut, fighting Nog in Feb, and then maybe a rematch with Big Tim or Gonzaga in the Summer, and then be free and clear to trash the UFC and fight Fedor in October. I feel for Randy, but it seems he miscalculated his contract and his leverage. He would have been better off keeping his mouth shut, fighting Nog in Feb, and then maybe a rematch with Big Tim or Gonzaga in the Summer, and then be free and clear to trash the UFC and fight Fedor in October.

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