Sin City Sentinel: Couture Surprised By Court Ruling
Sherdog.com Staff Aug 7, 2008
Despite a Texas court ruling last Friday that denied a motion for
summary judgment on his UFC contract, Randy
Couture (Pictures) was back in his Las Vegas gym
this week training as if it was business as usual.
The Dallas County Fifth Court of Appeals ruled against a separate court’s decision back in May to review Couture’s contract in Texas at the behest of sports mogul Mark Cuban. The Dallas Mavericks owner made his intentions public in February to sign Couture to his own HDNet Fights organization once his obligations with the UFC were fulfilled.
Couture resigned from the UFC on Oct. 11, 2007, leaving his
heavyweight crown and two contracted fights on the table. Zuffa
contends the 45-year-old fighter still owes the promotion the two
remaining fights per his promotional (or fight) agreement. Couture
believes his fight contract expired on July 19.
Under the appeals ruling, the spotlight will turn back to Nevada, where court-independent arbitration proceedings have already begun. Both Couture and UFC President Dana White have already been deposed in closed-door sessions, with more expected to speak under oath in the coming weeks.
On Monday, the UFC posted a release on its official site announcing the court’s decision to grant Zuffa its motion to compel Couture to arbitrate in Nevada.
“Based upon evidence uncovered during the interrogation of Mr. Couture during his deposition, we have every confidence that Mr. Couture will be held accountable for the serious and ongoing breaches of his contractual obligations to Zuffa,” the release read.
“It was surprising that they would mention anything that came up in my confidential deposition, but all the information that we got from Dana shall remain confidential,” Couture said of the statement.
A five-time UFC champion between the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, Couture has not competed since UFC 74 in August 2007, when he silenced Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) with strikes early in the third round.
Affliction comes to town
Affliction Entertainment made its Sin City bid official Wednesday, as it held a news conference inside the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino to announce its sophomore event on Oct. 11 at the Thomas & Mack Center.
“Day of Reckoning” will pair up hungry heavyweight contenders Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) and Josh Barnett (Pictures) in the main event, while the supporting acts are already proving to be as strong as the promotion’s initial run at the Honda Center in California.
UFC veteran Paul Buentello (Pictures), fresh off his unanimous decision over “Big Daddy” Gary Goodridge (Pictures) at Affliction 1, will face IFL heavyweight champion Roy Nelson (Pictures). Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) is slated to meet IFL light heavyweight champion Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures), middleweights Matt Lindland (Pictures) and Vitor Belfort (Pictures) will finally touch gloves and 20-year-old wunderkind Chris Horodecki (Pictures) has been recruited to clash with a yet-to-be-named lightweight opponent.
Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio (Pictures) seemed keen on the idea to bring the young promotion to Las Vegas, despite a long list of failed predecessors that have cracked under the pressure of the UFC’s considerable hometown pull.
“It’s the home of MMA, so it just makes sense. You know, who doesn’t like to come to Las Vegas and have a good time? I know I do,” Atencio said. “At this point, anybody that comes out and puts on an event is going to be competition to the UFC. I’ve said it time, and time, and time again; I can never take away what they’ve done for the industry. I think you would be a fool to take away from what they’ve done for the industry. Anybody’s going to be competition for them.”
Irvin to address NSAC on painkiller allegations
Light heavyweight James Irvin (Pictures) plans to speak in person before the Nevada State Athletic Commission regarding recent allegations of painkillers use. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled on Aug. 12 to review Irvin’s temporary suspension and schedule a disciplinary hearing where the fighter will have the opportunity to address the five-member commission.
The Sacramento native allegedly tested positive for the non-approved analgesic painkillers Methadone and Oxymorphone, according to a post-fight urinalysis collected after his July 19 TKO loss to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva (Pictures) in Las Vegas.
Irvin, 29, accepted the Silva bout only days after re-entering the gym following a six-week recovery period from a broken foot. Irvin met Silva in the Brazilian’s first fight at 205 pounds, a bout that headlined a live Spike TV event swiftly organized to counter-program a pay-per-view hosted by the rival Affliction promotion on the same night.
Irvin succumbed to Silva’s speed and pinpoint striking at 1:01 in the first round.
Mike Roberts, Irvin’s manager, said his client’s attorneys are currently preparing a written response to the allegations that will be submitted to the NSAC prior to the one-month deadline. Roberts would not elaborate if Irvin will refute or admit to the allegations of non-approved drug use.
“We will be making a public statement following the hearing,” said Roberts.
Hieron: There’s no place like home
Despite earning nine victories and a championship title within the International Fight League, Jay Hieron (Pictures) has found himself on the outside looking in. The demise of the IFL and the uncertainty of Affliction’s future success have left the rising welterweight on the sidelines.
“I’m just in limbo right now, man. Waiting to hear something man, waiting to hear something. I don’t have an organization yet,” Hieron told Sherdog.com. “I have offers on the table from a couple different organizations, but I’m just waiting on the right number and the right move for my career.”
The situation is not as bleak as it may sound for the Long Island native. The former junior college National wrestling champion said that he is keeping his options open to all of the major MMA players including Affliction, EliteXC, Strikeforce, and the UFC.
Hieron would not divulge which promotions have contacted his management, though it has been reported that Affliction has made an offer for its Oct. 11 event in Hieron’s adopted town.
“I’ve been through a few contracts now, so I want something that best suits me,” said the 32-year-old. “I’m weighing my options, not rushing into it and make the right decision. I want an organization that’s going to be around and definitely treat me right.”
Hieron (15-4) defended his IFL title last April with a first-round TKO stoppage over Mark Miller (Pictures) (8-3).
“I’m training every day. I’m healthy. I’m waiting to hear something,” said Hieron. “It’s a good thing I have offers on the table, but know I just need to make a decision. Something will happen within this month. I’m looking forward to it.”
Quick hits
• Martin Kampmann (Pictures) (13-1) will fight Nathan Marquardt at UFC 88 on Sept. 6 in Atlanta, according to UFC.com.
The 26-year-old native of Denmark made tidy work of Jorge Rivera (Pictures) with a first-round guillotine choke at UFC 85 on June 7 in London. Wading through rumors that his knee might have been re-injured (Kampmann underwent MCL and ACL surgery last year), the Dane said all systems are a go for his return.
“It should be a good fight,” Kampmann said.
• Randy Couture (Pictures)’s wife and fellow competitor Kim Couture (Pictures) is on the mend from jaw surgery she underwent a week following her June 20 loss to Kim Rose (Pictures) at Banner Promotions “Night of Combat” at the Thomas & Mack Center. Couture’s jaw split down the middle from Rose’s opening punch, but the MMA legend’s wife kept in the bout for three rounds en route to a unanimous decision in Rose’s favor.
“She’s not cleared to start training yet,” said Couture’s distinguished husband. “She’s still recovering from the jaw. She’s got a few more weeks before she’s cleared to start training. She’s doing conditioning now, but she’s not doing any training. We’re looking forward to maybe December. We’ll see what kinds of opportunities are available then and we’ll go from there.”
Couture has been openly pursued by the Kentucky-based American Fight League, which recently signed 135-pound standout Tara Larosa (Pictures) and aims to launch multiple women’s divisions in the next few months. Couture has also voiced her intentions to seek a rematch with Rose.
The Dallas County Fifth Court of Appeals ruled against a separate court’s decision back in May to review Couture’s contract in Texas at the behest of sports mogul Mark Cuban. The Dallas Mavericks owner made his intentions public in February to sign Couture to his own HDNet Fights organization once his obligations with the UFC were fulfilled.
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Under the appeals ruling, the spotlight will turn back to Nevada, where court-independent arbitration proceedings have already begun. Both Couture and UFC President Dana White have already been deposed in closed-door sessions, with more expected to speak under oath in the coming weeks.
“The whole thing in Texas is in a freeze,” Couture said Wednesday.
“I’m kind of surprised by the decision there. It didn’t really
apply to the [state] law that values [fundamental] rights. It
combines the two things together when they’re not really the same
thing. Cuban requested a declaration that’s separate from their
insinuating that I somehow breached the contract, and the courts in
Texas kind of lumped them together and said we can settle it all
here in Nevada. It just means that we have to step up and put more
effort [in] here.”
On Monday, the UFC posted a release on its official site announcing the court’s decision to grant Zuffa its motion to compel Couture to arbitrate in Nevada.
“Based upon evidence uncovered during the interrogation of Mr. Couture during his deposition, we have every confidence that Mr. Couture will be held accountable for the serious and ongoing breaches of his contractual obligations to Zuffa,” the release read.
“It was surprising that they would mention anything that came up in my confidential deposition, but all the information that we got from Dana shall remain confidential,” Couture said of the statement.
A five-time UFC champion between the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, Couture has not competed since UFC 74 in August 2007, when he silenced Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) with strikes early in the third round.
Affliction comes to town
Affliction Entertainment made its Sin City bid official Wednesday, as it held a news conference inside the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino to announce its sophomore event on Oct. 11 at the Thomas & Mack Center.
“Day of Reckoning” will pair up hungry heavyweight contenders Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) and Josh Barnett (Pictures) in the main event, while the supporting acts are already proving to be as strong as the promotion’s initial run at the Honda Center in California.
UFC veteran Paul Buentello (Pictures), fresh off his unanimous decision over “Big Daddy” Gary Goodridge (Pictures) at Affliction 1, will face IFL heavyweight champion Roy Nelson (Pictures). Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) is slated to meet IFL light heavyweight champion Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures), middleweights Matt Lindland (Pictures) and Vitor Belfort (Pictures) will finally touch gloves and 20-year-old wunderkind Chris Horodecki (Pictures) has been recruited to clash with a yet-to-be-named lightweight opponent.
Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio (Pictures) seemed keen on the idea to bring the young promotion to Las Vegas, despite a long list of failed predecessors that have cracked under the pressure of the UFC’s considerable hometown pull.
“It’s the home of MMA, so it just makes sense. You know, who doesn’t like to come to Las Vegas and have a good time? I know I do,” Atencio said. “At this point, anybody that comes out and puts on an event is going to be competition to the UFC. I’ve said it time, and time, and time again; I can never take away what they’ve done for the industry. I think you would be a fool to take away from what they’ve done for the industry. Anybody’s going to be competition for them.”
Irvin to address NSAC on painkiller allegations
Light heavyweight James Irvin (Pictures) plans to speak in person before the Nevada State Athletic Commission regarding recent allegations of painkillers use. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled on Aug. 12 to review Irvin’s temporary suspension and schedule a disciplinary hearing where the fighter will have the opportunity to address the five-member commission.
The Sacramento native allegedly tested positive for the non-approved analgesic painkillers Methadone and Oxymorphone, according to a post-fight urinalysis collected after his July 19 TKO loss to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva (Pictures) in Las Vegas.
Irvin, 29, accepted the Silva bout only days after re-entering the gym following a six-week recovery period from a broken foot. Irvin met Silva in the Brazilian’s first fight at 205 pounds, a bout that headlined a live Spike TV event swiftly organized to counter-program a pay-per-view hosted by the rival Affliction promotion on the same night.
Irvin succumbed to Silva’s speed and pinpoint striking at 1:01 in the first round.
Mike Roberts, Irvin’s manager, said his client’s attorneys are currently preparing a written response to the allegations that will be submitted to the NSAC prior to the one-month deadline. Roberts would not elaborate if Irvin will refute or admit to the allegations of non-approved drug use.
“We will be making a public statement following the hearing,” said Roberts.
Hieron: There’s no place like home
Despite earning nine victories and a championship title within the International Fight League, Jay Hieron (Pictures) has found himself on the outside looking in. The demise of the IFL and the uncertainty of Affliction’s future success have left the rising welterweight on the sidelines.
“I’m just in limbo right now, man. Waiting to hear something man, waiting to hear something. I don’t have an organization yet,” Hieron told Sherdog.com. “I have offers on the table from a couple different organizations, but I’m just waiting on the right number and the right move for my career.”
The situation is not as bleak as it may sound for the Long Island native. The former junior college National wrestling champion said that he is keeping his options open to all of the major MMA players including Affliction, EliteXC, Strikeforce, and the UFC.
Hieron would not divulge which promotions have contacted his management, though it has been reported that Affliction has made an offer for its Oct. 11 event in Hieron’s adopted town.
“I’ve been through a few contracts now, so I want something that best suits me,” said the 32-year-old. “I’m weighing my options, not rushing into it and make the right decision. I want an organization that’s going to be around and definitely treat me right.”
Hieron (15-4) defended his IFL title last April with a first-round TKO stoppage over Mark Miller (Pictures) (8-3).
“I’m training every day. I’m healthy. I’m waiting to hear something,” said Hieron. “It’s a good thing I have offers on the table, but know I just need to make a decision. Something will happen within this month. I’m looking forward to it.”
Quick hits
• Martin Kampmann (Pictures) (13-1) will fight Nathan Marquardt at UFC 88 on Sept. 6 in Atlanta, according to UFC.com.
The 26-year-old native of Denmark made tidy work of Jorge Rivera (Pictures) with a first-round guillotine choke at UFC 85 on June 7 in London. Wading through rumors that his knee might have been re-injured (Kampmann underwent MCL and ACL surgery last year), the Dane said all systems are a go for his return.
“It should be a good fight,” Kampmann said.
• Randy Couture (Pictures)’s wife and fellow competitor Kim Couture (Pictures) is on the mend from jaw surgery she underwent a week following her June 20 loss to Kim Rose (Pictures) at Banner Promotions “Night of Combat” at the Thomas & Mack Center. Couture’s jaw split down the middle from Rose’s opening punch, but the MMA legend’s wife kept in the bout for three rounds en route to a unanimous decision in Rose’s favor.
“She’s not cleared to start training yet,” said Couture’s distinguished husband. “She’s still recovering from the jaw. She’s got a few more weeks before she’s cleared to start training. She’s doing conditioning now, but she’s not doing any training. We’re looking forward to maybe December. We’ll see what kinds of opportunities are available then and we’ll go from there.”
Couture has been openly pursued by the Kentucky-based American Fight League, which recently signed 135-pound standout Tara Larosa (Pictures) and aims to launch multiple women’s divisions in the next few months. Couture has also voiced her intentions to seek a rematch with Rose.
