Shamrock sues UFC...

jrube · #1 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 09:41 PM

Ken Shamrock sues the UFC - MMAjunkie.com

Quote:

Ken Shamrock sues the UFC
by MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] on Apr 23, 2008 at 3:19 pm in - News -
Longtime MMA fighter and UFC hall-of-famer Ken Shamrock has filed suit against the UFC, alleging breach of contract regarding a two-fight deal he signed prior to his last fight with the organization.

The suit was filed April 15 in Nevada State Court. Zuffa LLC, the UFC's parent company, is located in Las Vegas.

Shamrock first talked about the possible lawsuit during an October 2007 interview with MMAjunkie.com (MMA blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps - MMAjunkie.com) -- a now-famous interview in which he said that he had always planned to return to the organization even though he announced his retirement 19 months ago.

The 44-year-old fighter last competed for the UFC in October 2006 and lost to rival Tito Ortiz for a third time. Prior to the fight, Shamrock had signed a two-fight deal that could have resulted in a fourth and final fight with Ortiz.

Instead, after the fight, Shamrock announced his retirement from the sport. Shamrock, though, said he had intentions of returning.

"The fights were coming back to back (in July and October 2006), and I was being put in these positions to where I had to fight," Shamrock said in October. "So, I did the fights. I had one fight left on my contract, and I wanted to make sure that this last fight that I had on the contact -- that I was able to go in and be 100 percent. And then they cut my contract, which obviously is a breach."

Shamrock, who signed a multi-fight deal with ProElite, Inc. earlier this year, eventually told the UFC that he wanted to fulfill the last fight of his contract. The organization, though, maintains that the contract was fulfilled once he announced he was quitting because of a "retirement clause" in all Zuffa contracts.

Shamrock is asking for damages in excess of $10,000, as well as attorney fees and court costs.

A copy of the lawsuit is available online (.pdf).

Additionally, to read the full interview in which Shamrock first discusses the lawsuit, check out the MMAjunkie.com archives.

Shamrock (26-13-2) lived up to his nickname as the "World's Most Dangerous Man" during MMA's early U.S. beginnings. He posted 14 consecutive first-round submission victories to kick-start his career, which included a win over Patrick Smith in the very first UFC.

Shamrock, who's also worked as professional-wrestling performer, enjoyed a very successful career throughout the 1990s, fighting for the UFC, PRIDE and Pancrase. However, he's struggled as of late, losing his past five fights and seven of his past eight. He most recently suffered a first-round knockout to Robert Berry at a March Cage Rage event. The loss likely cost him a headline slot against Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson in the first Elite-CBS event on May 31.

I really wish Ken and frank would just go away... more so Ken than Frank, but damn am I the only one tired of hearing these two run off at the mouth???

hunterkiller · #2 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 09:54 PM

I don't like Ken Shamrock but I like what he's doing here. Even though he won't win anything, at least it's bringing it to light that the UFC didn't honor the contract. We hear so much about how the UFC demands that you honor the contract or they block you from fighting anywhere else, like Randy Couture. If he had a contract for 2 fights and fought one, then he gets the other fight. Now if the UFC has a clause that allows them to cancel the contract at anytime, that's one thing but that doesn't seem to be case. Any lawyer who sees that kind of clause in the contract would immediately point that out. I think the UFC needs to honor the contract if they demand the fighters do it.

smoogy · #3 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 10:04 PM

This could do without the incredibly biased (and probably wrong) title. I'm no law talking guy but depending on the language of the contract, he could very well have a case. One would assume it was a guaranteed contract, otherwise they would've just cut him for some other reason. And in most sports, if you want to release a guy with a guaranteed contract, you have to buy them out.

Lefthookstcrook · #4 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecoylewis

I don't like Ken Shamrock but I like what he's doing here. Even though he won't win anything, at least it's bringing it to light that the UFC didn't honor the contract. We hear so much about how the UFC demands that you honor the contract or they block you from fighting anywhere else, like Randy Couture. If he had a contract for 2 fights and fought one, then he gets the other fight. Now if the UFC has a clause that allows them to cancel the contract at anytime, that's one thing but that doesn't seem to be case. Any lawyer who sees that kind of clause in the contract would immediately point that out. I think the UFC needs to honor the contract if they demand the fighters do it.

I think the key word in the article is "Retirement Clause" i think all UFC contracts have a clause in which a fighter "retires" as Ken did, then the contract is void and they do not have to sign you for anymore fights. Add that with the fact that he sign a multi-fight deal with a rival company, AND THEN says he wants his last fight in the UFC prolly wont go over well for him in court. I see him losing more money then what he set out to get

jrube · #5 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUF5

I think the key word in the article is "Retirement Clause" i think all UFC contracts have a clause in which a fighter "retires" as Ken did, then the contract is void and they do not have to sign you for anymore fights. Add that with the fact that he sign a multi-fight deal with a rival company, AND THEN says he wants his last fight in the UFC prolly wont go over well for him in court. I see him losing more money then what he set out to get

Agreed, you can't retire and say that you had intentions all along of coming back.... I think Ken knows he isn't going to make money fighting anymore, and is trying to get cash by any means possible... I hope they crush him!

The Sundance Kid · #6 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 10:13 PM

10K?

He's suing the UFC for 10K?

Wow.

They should just give it to him and let him go on his way.

10K?

jrube · #7 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Sundance Kid

10K?

He's suing the UFC for 10K?

Wow.

They should just give it to him and let him go on his way.

10K?

Probably enough to pay of some past due debts... who knows? You would think his lawyer fees would be higher than that ya know??? That is why I think he is very desperate for money.... Maybe the 10K will help him last up until his big Shamrock vs Shamrock fight....

The Sundance Kid · #8 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 10:43 PM

If he were that hard up for money he would be asking for more.

If you don't have any proof that he's hard up please don't post misleading titles.

Shamrock could make well over 100k a year teaching MMA.

smoogy · #9 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 10:51 PM

IN EXCESS OF $10,000, knuckleheads.

The Sundance Kid · #10 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoogy

IN EXCESS OF $10,000, knuckleheads.

Yea, I'm no lawyer, but If does that mean it could be any amount? It would seem if it were A LOT more they would have put in excess of 100k or somthing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramma

I never heard anything of the sort... did they just totally make that up? lol

NO, I did hear rumors that if Ken got past Buzz that he would face Kimbo on CBS's first show.