Comments on: Matt Lindland claims UFC contracts are illegal

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:41:57 +0000

Does anyone here know how Linland got the nickname “The Law”? Because if he doesn’t get his way, he cries and then takes it to court. It worked for him and getting to the Olympics. He’s just mad because he didn’t get a contract offer from the UFC. I can’t say that I’m losing any sleep over not seeing him there.
His argument about the Ali Act is ridiculous. Anyone who reads it will see it clearly is made for boxing, where as fighters do not belong to a league, and just fight under different sanctioning bodies. The UFC is a league, just like the NFL. And in the NFL players sign contracts to play for the NFL only. And if these choose not to fulfill their contracts, they do not get paid, face legal action, and can not play anywhere else until they fulfill there contract or are released from the contract.

By: UPDATE: Why the Muhammad Ali Act Should Apply to MMA. | The Official Blog of the MMAFA

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:48:51 +0000

[...] Finally, Matt “the Law” Lindland also spoke out, declaring: “The UFC contracts are illegal. Based on teh Muhammad Ali (Safety) Act, you cannot be the promoter and the manager at the same time. If they are telling you who and when you are going to fight, they are the manager as well as the promoter.” http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/07/03/matt-lindland-claims-ufc-contracts-are-illegal/. [...]

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:45:33 +0000

matt “the law” lindland earned his nickname by sueing the US Olympic Committee for mis-judging a match. he lost the match, and was out of Olympic competition. He sued (all the way to the Supreme Court I think) to have the decision reversed and gain a spot on the Olympic Team. He won in court and won a Silver Medal in the Olympics.

that’s badass IMO.

he’s probably smarter tham most MMA fans think.

By: ACK!

ACK! — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:49:29 +0000

I’m not going to pretend to harbor any knowledge of this law, but I can say one thing for sure: Screw these companies, I just want to see the fighters in charge of their own careers while getting paid top-dollar!

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:23:04 +0000

roomservicetaco,

The UFC champion clause is for 12 months, not entirety.

By: Heatwaves

Heatwaves — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:55:12 +0000

Lindland would be singing a different tune if the UFC offered him $500K per fight and a shot at Silva. Sounds like someone fell down and hurt their feelings.

By: Ronny Z

Ronny Z — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:51:57 +0000

Someone at Bloody Elbow did an article why the Ali Act does more harm than good for Mixed Martial Arts. Here’s the link for those who didn’t read it:

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2008/7/2/563350/ali-act-not-a-step-in-the

By: tallsforeverybody

tallsforeverybody — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:07:58 +0000

I don’t want to see any boxing regulations forced on the UFC…boxing is as near a dead sport as there is. The UFC is the only successful promotion, and the way the other companies spend money and handle their business they are likely to stay the only successful business.

What thick skulled, visionless mouthpieces like Ortiz, Lindland, etc. don’t understand is that the UFC bled money years but built this business the right way by cultivating a solid foundation of fighters and a sound business plan.

Good business men don’t deviate from the business plan just because the competition is incompetent.

By: William

William — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:47:51 +0000

This statute applies only to Boxing; any lawyer would see that on its face. I’m sure the intent behind the statute may be similar to some of MMA’s situations today, but that is irrelevant. It applies only to boxing.

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:27:25 +0000

it all depends on the language of the contract, the case-law precendent, and the judge or jury.

some contracts have provisions that state that if one section is unenforceable, the rest remain in effect.

so it’s up to the judge, jury or negotiating a settlement.