That's a quote from your favorite UFC President, Dana White about Randy Couture not playing nice in the MMA sandbox while under contract with the UFC and now Randy faces a lawsuit filed yesterday initiated by parent company, Zuffa LLC.
From ReviewJournal.com
"We are alleging numerous intentional torts, which have caused Zuffa and the UFC significant harm," attorney Donald J. Campbell said. "Based upon that harm we are seeking to address these matters before a court of law."
The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $10,000 and states that the amount of both compensatory and punitive damages would be proven at trial. It also seeks an injunction restraining Couture from participating in any way in any promotion competing against the UFC.
The lawsuit is the latest episode of discord between Couture and UFC President Dana White, who said he has considered Couture a friend for eight years.
"What's really tough for me, to be honest, is we have been friends for a very long time," White said. "The hard part is that he is not living up to his obligations. Captain America is not keeping his word."
Monday's lawsuit claims Couture's negative statements about the company constituted "injurious falsehood and trade disparagement," that has led to significant financial losses for the UFC.
The lawsuit also alleges conspiracy, stating that several unnamed parties to be identified at a later date worked with Couture to intentionally inflict harm on the UFC.
In addition to the disparaging remarks that Couture has made about the UFC and Zuffa, Couture is also breaching the terms of his contract by sponsoring a team in the IFL under the Xtreme Couture banner which is in direct violation of the terms of the contract Couture signed with Zuffa.
According to the lawsuit, Couture is also in breach of a stipulation that prohibits him from engaging in "direct or indirect competition" with the UFC for a period of 12 months following the termination of his contract.
Thus, Couture's sponsorship and promotion of a team in the International Fight League would be in direct violation of the stipulation. Currently, the IFL's Web site lists Couture's Xtreme Couture team taking on Mario Sperry's World Class Fight Center at the IFL's Feb. 29 card at the Orleans Arena.
Couture needs to get himself a lawyer who is able to explain to him as if he was a 6-year old child, what he can and cannot do while under contract with Zuffa. This is yet another example of Couture embarrassing himself due to his lack of knowledge of the legally binding contract he signed with Zuffa.
My advice to Captain America is to suck it up, complete the terms of his contract and walk away from the UFC when the terms have been met (2 fights remaining on contract).
Randy, when you throw sand in the face of a giant, you will lose... unless you're Fedor which clearly, you are not.
I never thought I would side with management in any labor dispute but Zuffa is right on every count. The contracts that these guys sign are very clear! Number of fights, range of potential compensation depending upon outcome, sponsorships etc...it's a no brainer! No compete means DO NOT COMPETE...including showing up at a fucking EliteXC event or branding yourself to the fucking IFL. Wake up Randy!
ReplyDeleteBTW, in reality, Couture only needs to fight once again in the UFC (the last remaining fight is not undertaken by the UFC unless a new contract is to take effect immediately after...not gonna happen with Couture.) All the more reason for Randy to start respecting Big Nog and fight him after he submits Big Tim.
Dude, you're fueling my Couture hate fire now. Knowing that the fucker only has to fight once then exit the contract to fight Fedor really pisses me off.
ReplyDeleteIs Couture really that stupid or was he fearful of facing Nogueira which would risk his fight against Fedor is he lost to Big Nog?
I suppose we'll never know.
Gee wiz, that was a good article.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure fear of losing to Big Nog has a lot to do with it. Styles make fights, and I think Couture believes his style is more suited to fight Fedor than it is for Big Nog. For Couture to say he only wants to fight the best, and thats Fedor...I think Couture has a lot of fighers even in the UFC he needs to prove himself against before he can make that statement. IMHO, Big Nog, Crocop, Kongo would all give Couture a good go! And others not in the UFC would also, including Fedor, Barnett, Hunt!
ReplyDeleteMy thought is more in line with the biggest payday in MMA history between Couture and Fedor.
ReplyDeleteCouture has nothing top lose even if/when he loses that fight.
No other two fighters today could draw that amount of money.
Then again, it's for the respect, not the money according to Couture.
I'm confused :)
hahahahaha that's one of the best pics ever! You made my day!
ReplyDeletethe sarcasm of the first paragraph is just the cherry on top the ice cream!
awesome job MMAfever!