MMA Off-Topic

[allBthere]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

This could backfire on Toronto. A boycott isnt going to make them come to a deal with GSP any quicker. What it could do is make the UFC decide to run cards in other cities. Toronto is a great town but it isnt Vegas or NY. The UFC doesnt need to run cards there to be successful.

a few tweets doesn't mean fack all ... that said, nobody would compare in terms of a fan interest to draw them there. if GSP was on the card, they could do it in the Rogers Centre/Sky Dome and sell out, if not, they have to do ACC and get 20k people instead. (dome can do over 50)

What I'm most interested in is the legal aspect, especially when broken down into it's simplest point of contention as far as I can see it and admittedly I'm no lawyer.

1) GSP had fights remaining on his contract
2) UFC changed the terms of the relationship between the business and the fighters while he was gone.


#2 more specifically - the reebok deal and if that can make a contract null. For exmaple GSP and his underarmour contract began while fighting - how can the UFC decide to do an exclusive deal with reebok in the first place?
Doesn't GSP (or any other fighter) have a case that, although I signed with you, it was under these circumstances and terms, and those changed which affects my ability to make a living.

To me I'm surprised that the individual fighter deals didn't stipulate sponsorship and the attire they are printed on previously to reebok. Also I'm surprised this didn't terminate other contracts or cause a need to renegotiate the terms with each fighter under contract...

It's like I agree to build 5 houses for you for X amount of money but after building 3 houses you tell me I can't use the lumber I'm using that I've been in a contract with for years.

[aholbert32]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

a few tweets doesn't mean fack all ... that said, nobody would compare in terms of a fan interest to draw them there. if GSP was on the card, they could do it in the Rogers Centre/Sky Dome and sell out, if not, they have to do ACC and get 20k people instead. (dome can do over 50)

What I'm most interested in is the legal aspect, especially when broken down into it's simplest point of contention as far as I can see it and admittedly I'm no lawyer.

1) GSP had fights remaining on his contract
2) UFC changed the terms of the relationship between the business and the fighters while he was gone.


#2 more specifically - the reebok deal and if that can make a contract null. For exmaple GSP and his underarmour contract began while fighting - how can the UFC decide to do an exclusive deal with reebok in the first place?
Doesn't GSP (or any other fighter) have a case that, although I signed with you, it was under these circumstances and terms, and those changed which affects my ability to make a living.

To me I'm surprised that the individual fighter deals didn't stipulate sponsorship and the attire they are printed on previously to reebok. Also I'm surprised this didn't terminate other contracts or cause a need to renegotiate the terms with each fighter under contract...

It's like I agree to build 5 houses for you for X amount of money but after building 3 houses you tell me I can't use the lumber I'm using that I've been in a contract with for years.

I'm a lawyer so I'll try my best to give my 2 cents. Keep in mind, I havent seen GSP's specific contract but I've seen a few UFC deals.

Concerning #2 - The UFC's position is this: Under its agreement, its always had the right to approve sponsors...even before the Reebok deal. GSP has been signed to UA for years but if you watch his past fights you will notice that UA has never been a sponsor on his banner, walkin gear or shorts. Why?
Because UA refused to pay the UFC's sponsor tax so the UFC refused to approve them as a sponsor.

The UFC would argue that the only difference now is that there are only willing to approve a few sponsors. Reebok, Monster and Budweiser are sponsors that they allow on UFC fighters.

The UFC also sees it no different than when the NFL decided to switch from Reebok to Nike jerseys. For example, Tom Brady is a UA player but his jersey, shorts and socks are all Nike. The only thing Brady can wear thats UA is his shoes (that position was negotiated by the union).

One last thing: I cant remember if this is the case but I bet the UFC's agreement has a severence clause (all of my agreements in the entertainment industry do). What that means is lets say GSP sued and a court ruled that the Reebok deal was invalid and effects GSP's right to earn money from sponsors....that doesnt invalidate the entire agreement. It just means that GSP would have the right to use his own sponsors. If he has fights remaining, he would still have to fight for the UFC.

[p_rushing]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

GSP could quickly get out of his contract. The UFC usually has to offer 3 fights per year. GSP could take the fight, then just say he is going to lose, don't buy the card. Then walk-in and immediately tap.

After the fight, say he will lose next time again. UFC will cut him otherwise they will have to lose a lot of money on his garuanteed pay.

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[aholbert32]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

GSP could quickly get out of his contract. The UFC usually has to offer 3 fights per year. GSP could take the fight, then just say he is going to lose, don't buy the card. Then walk-in and immediately tap.

After the fight, say he will lose next time again. UFC will cut him otherwise they will have to lose a lot of money on his garuanteed pay.

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He would be blacklisted if he did that. The UFC would likely sue for breach of contract. The state commission would likely suspend him for throwing a fight and refuse to license him for future fights. Its not as easy as you think.

[p_rushing]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

He would be blacklisted if he did that. The UFC would likely sue for breach of contract. The state commission would likely suspend him for throwing a fight and refuse to license him for future fights. Its not as easy as you think.

He would have to say it carefully, but he can't be forced to fight at a certain level. He would probably fight in Canada in the future, so doubt they do anything and he could fight in Vegas and not worry what they do. Bellator or whatever other org could have big cards in Canada with just him on the card.

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[aholbert32]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

He would have to say it carefully, but he can't be forced to fight at a certain level. He would probably fight in Canada in the future, so doubt they do anything and he could fight in Vegas and not worry what they do. Bellator or whatever other org could have big cards in Canada with just him on the card.

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I shouldnt argue this because it would never happen but what you described is a fighter stating that he's going to throw a fight and then actually throwing a fight. If he was blatant about that he would face a suspension or outright ban from a commission (even one in Canada) and a lawsuit from the UFC. If the fight was in Vegas, his suspension would stretch across the country. The lawsuit would prevent him from fighting for anyone while it was pending. It would also absolutely ruin his reputation as a fighter which is something GSP values.

If he said it "carefully" and didnt immediately tap, he could still face a potential lawsuit from PPV viewers and people who attended the fight. If there is any hint that he threw the fight (even after the fight), he would now be facing multiple lawsuits. If he tells the UFC "he plans to do the same thing next time"...thats an intentional breach of his contract.

Also, I dont think the UFC is obligated to offer 3 fights a year. I havent seen that in any UFC contract that I've looked at.

Bottomline is that this idea is dumb. He would be better off just fighting out his agreement and not taking "championship fights" (so that his championship clause doesnt come into effect) instead of intentionally throwing fights and courting multiple lawsuits.

[johnmangala]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

Apparently Fedor is fighting Mitrione in Bellator next year.

I hope GSP is back for 206. A fight against Bisping, Silva, Woodley/Wonderboy etc is really intriguing. A MW title fight path seems most promising. A defending MW champ GSP vs consensus MW GOAT Anderson Silva down the road would be the super fight

[The JareBear]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

I know it hasn't been that long but I feel like I haven't watched a UFC card in forever

[redsox4evur]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

I know it hasn't been that long but I feel like I haven't watched a UFC card in forever

There's one this weekend in Mexico, I think. RDA v. Someone is the Main Event. It's an FS1 card.


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[aholbert32]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

There's one this weekend in Mexico, I think. RDA v. Someone is the Main Event. It's an FS1 card.


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Rda vs ferguson.


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[redsrule]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

Rda vs ferguson.


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I've been a fan of Ferguson since TUF. Posted either on here or Sherdog I thought he'd be a future champ. Still believe it too. RDA has got so much better but I still see Stephens knocking him silly and think Ferguson has a very good chance to do the same thing.

[The JareBear]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

RDA vs Ferg should be a very fun fight

[allBthere]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

I'm a lawyer so I'll try my best to give my 2 cents. Keep in mind, I havent seen GSP's specific contract but I've seen a few UFC deals.

Concerning #2 - The UFC's position is this: Under its agreement, its always had the right to approve sponsors...even before the Reebok deal. GSP has been signed to UA for years but if you watch his past fights you will notice that UA has never been a sponsor on his banner, walkin gear or shorts. Why?
Because UA refused to pay the UFC's sponsor tax so the UFC refused to approve them as a sponsor.

The UFC would argue that the only difference now is that there are only willing to approve a few sponsors. Reebok, Monster and Budweiser are sponsors that they allow on UFC fighters.

The UFC also sees it no different than when the NFL decided to switch from Reebok to Nike jerseys. For example, Tom Brady is a UA player but his jersey, shorts and socks are all Nike. The only thing Brady can wear thats UA is his shoes (that position was negotiated by the union).

One last thing: I cant remember if this is the case but I bet the UFC's agreement has a severence clause (all of my agreements in the entertainment industry do). What that means is lets say GSP sued and a court ruled that the Reebok deal was invalid and effects GSP's right to earn money from sponsors....that doesnt invalidate the entire agreement. It just means that GSP would have the right to use his own sponsors. If he has fights remaining, he would still have to fight for the UFC.

Thanks for that clarification. I also understand you can't say anything 100% without seeing the contract. I just find it interesting - I don't see the UFC's position as being as rock solid as say the NFL example - from what you wrote I agree that is how the UFC see's ITSELF, but that doesn't mean their position is the same.

It would be like Tom Brady wearing UA gear until he broke his leg, and when he came back the NFL made everyone wear reebok. Before that it was a mish-mash of companies.

The sponsorship approval is a great point, and one I either forgot or didn't know, but I feel that it's reasonable for a guy to expect things to continue the way they have for the duration of his contract. So my monster energy logo on my shorts and tapout shirt walk-out and Nike hat - that extra 10k let's say I would have come to depend on and assume I could rely on that every time I walk into the octagon - and in the end, that's not the case, and the 'spreading' of money ended up only benefiting the top dogs from the reebok deal.

So I guess all I'm getting at, is this situation doesn't seem like a slam dunk for the UFC, and I feel that many fighters could push the issue and start legal actions that may or may not pan out, but at least it looks like a case would have legs to stand on.

[Haz____]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

Apparently Fedor is fighting Mitrione in Bellator next year.

Meathead gonna put the old man to bed.

[johnmangala]

Re: OS MMA Random Thread

Meathead gonna put the old man to bed.

I hope Fedor wins for the possibility of him ever competing in the UFC. That being said Mitrione is no easy fight, at this point I rather see Fedor in the UFC and probably lose rather than probably lose in a smaller stage outside it.

He can maybe avenge the Bigfoot loss now but Werdum is still in the UFC but likely better than in 2010 and Hendo retired.