Post by Todd Smiley on Sept 4, 2008 0:21:17 GMT -5
[edit] Resignation from the UFC
On October 11, 2007, Couture announced that he was severing all ties with the UFC, leaving two contracted fights, a position as an on-air analyst, and his heavyweight championship behind. Reportedly he received $250,000 plus $936,000 of PPV revenue for his comeback against Tim Sylvia. He also reportedly received a $250,000 purse for defeating Gabriel Gonzaga, as well as a $35,000 bonus for "Fight of the Night" and $787,000 in PPV revenue.[11] This became a sticking point since Chuck Liddell lost his two previous fights yet is still being paid a higher amount, according to Couture.[citation needed] Randy cited the UFC's failure to sign #1 ranked heavyweight fighter Fedor Emelianenko, as well as disputes with UFC management.[12][13]
UFC president Dana White said Thursday Oct. 18, 2007 that Couture remains the promotion's heavyweight champion despite his announced plans to quit. White also reiterated he will not release Couture from the final two fights on his UFC contract.[14] Couture held a press conference on October 25, 2007 in which he denied his leaving of the UFC was a "retirement", set forth his grievances over the pay he received for his fights against Tim Sylvia and Gabriel Gonzaga, and reiterated his belief that he would be free from any contractual obligations to the UFC after nine months.[15] On October 30, 2007, UFC president Dana White and co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta held another press conference. There White reiterated the UFC's position that Couture remains the promotion's heavyweight champion despite his tendered resignation, and that Couture would remain obligated under his UFC contract well beyond nine months.[16] White also released documents at the press conference to refute Couture's claims about the pay he received.[17] Sherdog.com analyzed language reportedly found in the UFC's standard contracts relating to fighter retirement which Sherdog believes clarifies the dispute over Couture's contractual status.[18]
In another chapter to the Couture/UFC saga, Dana White and Randy Couture met and had a "good" conversation at UFC 78. White also met with Randy during the Thanksgiving holiday to discuss a possible return to the octagon. Couture said he had no desire to return to the UFC at that time.
Cornering some of his fighters from Xtreme Couture at HDNet Fights on December 15, 2007 in Dallas, Texas. Randy Couture answered questions about Fedor stating that he would like to fight Fedor in October once his employment contract with the UFC has expired, if the UFC cannot come to some kind of co-promotion agreement with M-1 global before that time.[19]
On January 15, 2008 Zuffa filed a lawsuit in Clark County District Court in Nevada citing breach of contract and irreparable damage.[20] Zuffa is seeking over $10,000 in damages. This suit concerns only Couture's employment contract and not his promotional contract.On February 28, 2008 Judge Jennifer Togliatti handed down the first ruling in the case of Zuffa v. Randy Couture issuing a preliminary injunction barring Couture's participation in an IFL event to be held the following day.
On August 02, 2008 a Texas appeals court granted Zuffa LLC's (the UFC's parent company) request for a stay against a motion for a declaratory judgment in a suit filed by HDNet regarding Randy Couture's contractual status with the UFC. The stay effectively ends the dispute in the state of Texas and Zuffa will be allowed to move forward with the Nevada suit.[21][22]
Former WWE and TNA World Champion Kurt Angle has expressed interest in fighting Couture in a Full-Contact MMA fight sometime in the Future. However, Contract compilications with Ultimate Fighting Championship will delay the fight with the Olympic Gold Medalist.
[edit] Return to the UFC
On September 2, 2008 the UFC announced a 3 fight deal with the now 45 year old Randy Couture to return to active competition for the UFC. His first fight back will be at UFC 91 on November 15, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada against Brock Lesnar. The winner of this fight will go on to fight the winner of Noguiera vs Mir at UFC 92.
On October 11, 2007, Couture announced that he was severing all ties with the UFC, leaving two contracted fights, a position as an on-air analyst, and his heavyweight championship behind. Reportedly he received $250,000 plus $936,000 of PPV revenue for his comeback against Tim Sylvia. He also reportedly received a $250,000 purse for defeating Gabriel Gonzaga, as well as a $35,000 bonus for "Fight of the Night" and $787,000 in PPV revenue.[11] This became a sticking point since Chuck Liddell lost his two previous fights yet is still being paid a higher amount, according to Couture.[citation needed] Randy cited the UFC's failure to sign #1 ranked heavyweight fighter Fedor Emelianenko, as well as disputes with UFC management.[12][13]
UFC president Dana White said Thursday Oct. 18, 2007 that Couture remains the promotion's heavyweight champion despite his announced plans to quit. White also reiterated he will not release Couture from the final two fights on his UFC contract.[14] Couture held a press conference on October 25, 2007 in which he denied his leaving of the UFC was a "retirement", set forth his grievances over the pay he received for his fights against Tim Sylvia and Gabriel Gonzaga, and reiterated his belief that he would be free from any contractual obligations to the UFC after nine months.[15] On October 30, 2007, UFC president Dana White and co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta held another press conference. There White reiterated the UFC's position that Couture remains the promotion's heavyweight champion despite his tendered resignation, and that Couture would remain obligated under his UFC contract well beyond nine months.[16] White also released documents at the press conference to refute Couture's claims about the pay he received.[17] Sherdog.com analyzed language reportedly found in the UFC's standard contracts relating to fighter retirement which Sherdog believes clarifies the dispute over Couture's contractual status.[18]
In another chapter to the Couture/UFC saga, Dana White and Randy Couture met and had a "good" conversation at UFC 78. White also met with Randy during the Thanksgiving holiday to discuss a possible return to the octagon. Couture said he had no desire to return to the UFC at that time.
Cornering some of his fighters from Xtreme Couture at HDNet Fights on December 15, 2007 in Dallas, Texas. Randy Couture answered questions about Fedor stating that he would like to fight Fedor in October once his employment contract with the UFC has expired, if the UFC cannot come to some kind of co-promotion agreement with M-1 global before that time.[19]
On January 15, 2008 Zuffa filed a lawsuit in Clark County District Court in Nevada citing breach of contract and irreparable damage.[20] Zuffa is seeking over $10,000 in damages. This suit concerns only Couture's employment contract and not his promotional contract.On February 28, 2008 Judge Jennifer Togliatti handed down the first ruling in the case of Zuffa v. Randy Couture issuing a preliminary injunction barring Couture's participation in an IFL event to be held the following day.
On August 02, 2008 a Texas appeals court granted Zuffa LLC's (the UFC's parent company) request for a stay against a motion for a declaratory judgment in a suit filed by HDNet regarding Randy Couture's contractual status with the UFC. The stay effectively ends the dispute in the state of Texas and Zuffa will be allowed to move forward with the Nevada suit.[21][22]
Former WWE and TNA World Champion Kurt Angle has expressed interest in fighting Couture in a Full-Contact MMA fight sometime in the Future. However, Contract compilications with Ultimate Fighting Championship will delay the fight with the Olympic Gold Medalist.
[edit] Return to the UFC
On September 2, 2008 the UFC announced a 3 fight deal with the now 45 year old Randy Couture to return to active competition for the UFC. His first fight back will be at UFC 91 on November 15, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada against Brock Lesnar. The winner of this fight will go on to fight the winner of Noguiera vs Mir at UFC 92.