HDNet Fights

HDNet-Zuffa Battle Moved to Texas Court

Mark Cuban and HDNet netted a minor legal victory over Zuffa earlier this week when U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas granted HDNet their motion to move Zuffa’s current lawsuit against Cuban and his mixed martial arts promotion to Texas State Court.

The news comes from Adam Swift of MMA Payout and Sherdog.com.

HDNet Fights reportedly entered into a contractual agreement with current UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture back in February. The deal will have the promotion attempt to set up a showdown between Couture and top ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko later this year.

The deal was also involved in an attempt to garner an official court ruling on a declaratory judgment concerning the contractual status of Couture when it comes to his promotional contract (the deal that dictates where Couture can fight). Zuffa claims that although Couture resigned from the UFC, he must live up to the remainder of his current contract.

Last month, Zuffa filed to remove HDNet’s declaratory judgment action brought against the company. The move was made because the suit was not filed in Nevada, where Zuffa is based. However HDNet MMA 2008, the name Cuban filed suit under, is a Nevada limited liability company.

Zuffa alleged that HDNet’s Nevada address was an attempt to manipulate the court’s jurisdiction, but a move of the lawsuit to Texas is believed to be a blow to the owners of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, who were rumored to have some pull in Nevada.

New Info on Zuffa/Couture Lawsuit

Three days since a Las Vegas judge denied UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture’s requests to dismiss parts of the lawsuit Zuffa filed against him in January, new information has already come to light regarding Dana White and company’s suit as well as an attempt to potential declaratory judgment for HDNet Fights.

The news comes courtesy of Sherdog and MMA Payout‘s Adam Swift.

Similar to Mark Cuban’s attempt to find out the contractual status between Couture and the UFC, Zuffa has filed for arbitration on Couture’s promotional contract, seeking to get a definitive answer on Couture’s grievances as well as Cuban’s declaratory judgment.

At the same time, Zuffa has also filed to remove HDNet’s declaratory judgment action brought against the company in Texas district court last month. The move was made because the suit was not filed in Nevada, where Zuffa is based.

However it matters not - HDNet MMA 2008, the name Cuban filed suit under, is a Nevada limited liability company. Zuffa alleges that HDNet’s Nevada address is an attempt to “manipulate the court’s jurisdiction.” according to Swift.

HDNet has now filed a motion to move the case to a Texas court, which the court granted. Zuffa has until March 28th to respond to the move.

On a side note, it seems that the preliminary injunction Judge Jennifer Togliatti granted Zuffa against Couture last month still allows Couture to corner his fighters when they are competing in other organizations.

Cuban and McMahon: Match Made in MMA Heaven or Hell?

It’s been rumored that the McMahon family has been itching to become involved with mixed martial arts in some form for quite a while now. Those same rumors were similar for popular billionaire and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. The only difference between the two sides at this point is that Cuban actually did enter the game by way of his fledgling HDNet Fights promotion last year.

In a recent interview with Jonathan Huntington of The Edmonton Sun, Cuban revealed his intentions to partner up with the first family of professional wrestling when asked if he was planning on building a promotion that would rival the UFC along with Vince and company.

“We are looking to partner where we can, do our own promotions where it makes sense,” Cuban said in the interview. “We think the future is built around the fighters and their personalities. No one else has this focus and partnership approach. We think it’s a winner.”

If there were any doubts as to whether or not pro wrestling and MMA would be able to interact and benefit from each other, one needs to look no further than Brock Lesnar’s debut at UFC 81: Breaking Point earlier this month. The event generated close to 650,000 PPV buys according to Dave Meltzer, the third highest total in UFC history.

So is a relationship between Cuban and the McMahons good or bad for the sport? It could turn out to be both.

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Cuban, HDNet Fights File Suit Against UFC

I kid you not, Mark Cuban has filed a lawsuit against Dana White and company.

Cuban and his HDNet Fights promotion filed suit in a Dallas, Texas district court in hopes of earning a declaratory judgment concerning the contractual status of current UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture when it comes to his employment contract (the deal that dictates where Couture can fight).

The news comes from Adam Swift of Sherdog and MMA Payout, who reports in an “ironic” twist that Couture will actually technically serve as Zuffa’s co-defendant in the case.

The declaratory judgement will hopefully provide Cuban with an exact date as to when Couture’s contract expires with the UFC, if it expires at all.

If you haven’t already caught the feeling of what’s going on, the judge’s ruling may possibly give Couture and mixed martial fans around the world good news, that a potential date with Fedor Emelianenko could become a strong possibility.

Clearing up some confusion that occurred on this site earlier, it is actually Couture’s employment contract and its one-year non-compete clause that is at the center of Zuffa’s suit, and not his promotional contract that came when he agreed to be part of the announce team along with Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan according to Swift.

A positive outcome for Cuban would be a huge for his HDNet Fights promotion to say the least as the Couture-Emelianenko showdown would likely take place under the banner of that promotion.

Zuffa filed a lawsuit in Nevada’s Clark County District Court against Couture in January, citing that Couture has made negative comments about the promotion and those involved with it’s management. They also stated that the comments have caused “irreparable damage” and that he has breached the emplyment contract he signed with the company.

Basically the lawsuit was filed because Randy’s Xtreme Couture gym will be fielding a team that will compete at the IFL’s next event in Las Vegas on Friday, February 29th. The UFC is claiming that Randy’s gym being involved with the IFL is a violation of his contract with the UFC.

The lawsuit will also attempt to collect up to $10,000 in damages from Couture and seek a restraining order that will prevent Couture from being involved with any other organizations that compete against the UFC.

HDNet to Televise Four Strikeforce Cards in ‘08

HDNet Fights announced today that it is partnering with Strikeforce to present four mixed martial arts events in 2008. The first of these events will be “HDNet Fights Presents: Strikeforce at the Dome” Live from the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington, Saturday, February 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET. This live exclusive coverage will only be available on HDNet.

“We’re excited about this new deal with Strikeforce as they are such a well respected MMA organization,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “This announcement reinforces our commitment to deliver a minimum of 24 events in 2008 and the partnership between HDNet Fights and Strikeforce guarantees many great match-ups for MMA fans.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to showcase our brand of mixed martial arts on HDNet,” said Scott Coker, President of Strikeforce. “HDNet delivers television content to viewers in the highest quality format possible and Strikeforce has worked diligently to produce the finest, world-class fights for mixed martial arts fans. Together, the two entities will be able to deliver a superior product.”

The evening’s main event features former University of Washington football standout and NFL lineman turned martial arts fighting sensation, Bob “The Beast” Sapp (8-2-1) meeting 6’11” K-1 kickboxing star and undefeated professional boxer Jan “The Giant” Nortje (25-17).

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HDNet to Televise First Three IFL Events of ‘08

NEW YORK - The International Fight League and HDNet Fights today announced an agreement to televise the first three IFL events of 2008 live, beginning with the Friday, February 29 card from the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

HDNet Fights will also air the April 4 card live from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J., and the May 16 event from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Each two hour show will carry a minimum of five of the eight fights on the card, including no fewer than two championship fights. This is the latest partnership between the IFL and HDNet, which began with the December 29, 2007, IFL Championship event from Mohegan Sun.

“"We are very pleased to be able to offer our fans around the country these next three events live and in HD,”” said IFL President and CEO Jay Larkin. “The quality of our broadcasts is second to none, highlighting the outstanding athletes and exciting bouts as we start 2008 in Las Vegas, live on HDNet.””

“"The first event we did with the IFL was a great success, and we are very pleased to be able to expand that relationship into the first quarter of 2008,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “HDNet Fights Presents: The IFL is a fantastic addition to MMA action on HDNet.””

The Feb. 29 card will be the first in the IFL’’s new camp vs. camp format, with Ken Shamrock’s’ Lion’s Den meeting Matt Lindland’’s Team Quest, and Mario Sperry’’s World Class Fight Center against Xtreme Couture. The night will also feature three individual championship defenses, with lightweight titleholder Ryan Schultz, who defeated previously unbeaten Chris Horodecki for the belt, meeting John Gunderson, middleweight champ Matt Horwich, a surprise winner over Benji Radach, defending his crown against Ryan McGivern of Miletich Fighting Systems, and heavyweight champ and Las Vegas native Roy Nelson battling Fabiano Scherner. The two hour show will air live on HDNet at 11 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. PT.

HDNet Fights Announces Partnership With MFC

DALLAS - HDNet Fights announced today that it has partnered with Maximum Fighting Championship to present a LIVE event from Canada on February 22. It will be the first of three events in 2008 between the two partners.

“We’re excited to head to Canada to cover this event,” said Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet. “Bringing this live MMA action to our fans in Canada is a great way for us to reward all of our viewers north of the border.”

“This partnership with MFC helps to expand HDNet Fights outside the U.S., and to bring new fighters into the fold,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “We’re looking forward to traveling to Canada to bring our viewers this exciting event.”

Mark Pavelich, Owner and President of Maximum Fighting Championship, said the relationship formed between his organization and HDNet was exceptional and a perfect fit.

“Going into 2008, the MFC was determined to find a strong television arrangement to showcase our product,” he said. “The MFC has long been one of the best live shows anywhere with an energetic and entertaining atmosphere bolstered by the most loyal fans in mixed martial arts. Now with our partnership with HDNet Fights, more fans can realize that experience.”

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Report: HDNet Fights Cancels Feb Event

HDNet Fights has announced it’s intent to cancel it’s upcoming event scheduled for February 15th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas according to a report from Loretta Hunt of The Fight Network.

HDNet Fights president Guy Mezger stated that the promotion plans to do some in-house work instead:

“We’re taking the time to build a little more infrastructure that’s all our own,” said Mezger. “Right now, we share a lot of it with HDNet and the [Dallas] Mavericks.”

So when will the next event take place? According to Mezger, it may be a little difficult to re-schedule for a couple of months based on the list of events going on at the arena:

“The availability of our venue is tough in March and April,” says Mezger.

Mezger isn’t kidding. The arena’s official events calendar shows that the months are chock full with events already scheduled to take place. 

Five MMA Things I Want for Christmas

Since it’s Christmas Eve and there’s not a lot of news going on, I thought why not make a list of MMA-related things that I’d like to see next year.

These are in no particular order…

1. Randy Couture vs Fedor Emelianenko - I’m not the only one that wants to see this. EVERYONE wants to see this. It’d be the biggest fight ever. Since Fedor opted to sign with M-1 Global instead of the UFC, we are going to have to wait until at least October to learn whether or not Couture’s contract with the UFC is really finished or that’s he going to have to fight twice more in order to finally get out.

Hopefully what Couture says holds true. If not, Dana and company have to work out some kind of working partnership with M-1, at least for the sake of the fans if nothing else.

2. The return of Evan Tanner - Now that Tanner has officially signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC, it’s only a matter of time before he is finally set to step back into the Octagon. I’m not doubting that it’s going to happen by wishing for it. I just want to finally see it take place.

The guy has battled some personal demons over the past two years and I’m sure that the majority of MMA fans would like nothing more than to see Tanner achieve his dream of fighting again in the UFC. On top of that, Tanner says he has the goods to knock off Anderson Silva. Ask anyone to make a list of fighters that could beat Silva and you’ll see Tanner on there almost every time.

3. Floyd Mayweather in MMA - After months and months of putting MMA down and then deciding that he might want to try it, it’s time to put up or shut up for boxing’s best pound for pound fighter. If he fights under Mark Cuban’s HDNet Fights banner, money won’t even be an issue. If Mayweather does go into MMA, I think that he’ll try to spin it for all it’s worth. Based on the fact that he has zero experience, the athletic commission is going to force the matchmakers to put Floyd up against another fighter that has not fought professionally and has very little amateur experience, most likely a guy that Mayweather could knock out in the first round.

It’ll probably be an exhibition bout too. After that Mayweather will declare that boxing is superior to MMA and will never step into a cage again. Then a slew of professional MMA fighters will call him out and he’ll try to explain that he has no reason to go back and fight again in MMA. Still, it’ll definitely be fun to watch.

4. Josh Barnett and Takanori Gomi to sign somewhere - Ever since the demise of PRIDE, these two have been nowhere to be found. While Barnett kept some of the spotlight on him in 2007 with his war of words with Dana White and his submission grappling match a few days ago, he still hasn’t fought in an MMA bout since losing to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira nearly one year ago.

Gomi’s loss changed to a no contest against Nick Diaz was the former PRIDE Lightweight Champ’s only bout in ‘07. Since then, he’s been competely silent. These two are among the elite in their respective weight classes and aren’t getting any younger. It’s time to sign somewhere and get fighting again.

5. The UFC video game to come out in ‘08 - Yes, I know that it’s slated for a 2009 release but it could be finished early, right? It was UFC Throwdown’s release in 2002 that got me into the world of MMA. We haven’t had a new game since Sudden Impact in ‘04. The trailer for THQ’s new project looks amazing and I can’t wait. While I’m at it, Sam Caplan has a great article on UFC: Throwdown and what he hopes THQ will include in the new game coming out.

Mayweather Considering Move to MMA

Dan Rafael and Marc Stein of ESPN.com are reporting that Floyd Mayweather Jr. could make the jump to MMA with Mark Cuban and HDNet Fights.

“Floyd is considering fighting with HDNet Fights,” Cuban told ESPN.com. “We are going to let him visit some gyms to talk to some folks about what it would take to learn. He knows it won’t be easy. But he is getting involved with MMA and HDNet Fights one way or another. He is pumped about it. He wants to go on to the next big thing. Floyd is a brilliant marketer. He follows the money.”

No matter what the state of boxing is, Mayweather is a huge draw and could bring a ton of eyes to MMA and HDNet Fights.

If the deal happens, and if Mayweather can successfully transition into the sport (two decent-sized ifs), Cuban’s found a way to take HDNet Fights from fledging to rockstar fast.

This comes only eight months after Mayweather engaged in the boxing vs MMA argument with UFC head Dana White.