Report: Couture agrees to deal in principle with Mark Cuban’s HDNet
February 20, 2008 by Sam Caplan
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If current UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture ever becomes free from his existing commitment to Zuffa, it’s clear that Mark Cuban’s HDNet will be a new home for him.
According to Adam Swift of Sherdog.com and MMAPayout.com, it’s revealed in HDNet’s recent lawsuit against Zuffa, which seeks a declaratory judgment about Couture’s contract status, that HDNet has reached an agreement in principle with Couture:
According to the filing, HDNet Fights has entered into a contract with Couture that is scheduled to commence upon the expiration of his Zuffa promotional agreement. At that time, the company plans to promote a fight between Couture and Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) in Dallas, assuming terms can be reached with the highly regarded Russian heavyweight.
The existence of an actual contract between HDNet Fights and Couture is believed to be key to the company’s action in Texas. Without it, it is unlikely that the court would find an actual controversy ripe for adjudication.
It’s interesting to note that Swift indicates that HDNet has every intention of promoting a fight between Couture and Fedor Emelianenko should Couture be declared a free agent. While there’s been no announcement about an accord between HDNet and M-1 Global, it wouldn’t be surprising if one existed considering that both parties were involved with the New Year’s Eve telecast of Yarrenoka! from Japan.
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Living in Arlington, 20 minutes from the AAC, the news of Couture/Fedor in Dallas makes me go a wet rubbery one.
I don’t know why Zuffa just won’t release Couture. Forget about Randy Frank and Lorenzo…..you are dead to Couture!!!
!
Pretty bold move to sign Couture with his UFC status up in the air. Look for Zuffa to argue that HDNet/Cuban improperly interfered with Zuffa’s contract with Couture based on the admissions in HDNet’s complaint for declaratory relief in Texas. More legal wrangling to follow.