lightweight
04-21-2003, 05:21 PM
From www.MaxFighting.com:
Rift Between Ortiz, Zuffa Grows : :
By Josh Gross (April 21, 2003)
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight titleholder Tito Ortiz has asked Zuffa, promoters of the UFC, for a renegotiation of his current contract that could pay him somewhere in the range of $1.3 to $1.75 million over three fights, MaxFighting has learned.
Neither Ortiz's lead counsel, Henry Holmes, a Los Angeles-based entertainment lawyer, who represents George Foreman and Hulk Hogan among others, nor representatives of Zuffa would confirm the dollar amount of the proposed deal. Sources close to the situation, however, intimated that the initial proposal from Ortiz's side would make him one of the highest paid fighters in mixed martial arts history.
Holmes says the offer is "proportional" to what other mixed martial artists make. Currently signed to a long-term deal, Ortiz is attempting to renegotiate while a fight versus UFC number one contender Chuck Liddell awaits him.
The past year has seen deposed UFC champions, Jens Pulver and Murilo Bustamante, part ways with Zuffa following failed contract negotiations. Ortiz, however, is the first to demand a renegotiation while under contract.
"We honor all our contracts and we expect all the people that fight for us to honor theirs, too," said UFC president Dana White. "Especially someone who's been treated as good as Tito."
"We don't think his contract is appropriate," counters Holmes, referring to Ortiz's current deal. "He's as much a champ as Roy Jones Jr., Lennox Lewis and Oscar de la Hoya. As important as Bill Goldberg."
Holmes appears to be challenging the validity of Ortiz's contract as it relates to Nevada law. In an April 10, 2003 letter obtained by MaxFighting from Holmes to Zuffa general counsel Kirk Hendrick, Zuffa's role as promoter, manager and sanctioning body as it relates to putting Ortiz in the Octagon is challenged.
"…Nevada law expressly prohibits agreements that oblige a fighter to fight exclusively for one promoter or at the option of the promoter," the letter states.
"Zuffa's contract specifically provides that Tito 'shall not participate' in any bouts other than [those] promoted or co-promoted by Zuffa,'" the two-page document continues. "Zuffa's form bout agreements, therefore, clearly do not present the true nature of the relationship between Tito and Zuffa, which is, as the title of the contract implies, an 'Exclusive Promotion' relationship.
"In light of the broad powers with which Zuffa acts under this contract, the law imposes on Zuffa the highest standards, and mandates that Zuffa act to protect Tito's interests above all others, including his own. Simply stated, Zuffa has not done so."
Should the Nevada State Athletic Commission hear Ortiz's challenge, the statutes in question would be closely scrutinized to see if they should be changed. NSAC general counsel Keith Kizer would not comment on Holmes' claim, offering only that "Mr. Holmes and Mr. Kendrick were two top-notch attorneys. I am sure they will fully explain their respective positions if the need arises."
On the surface it appears as if Holmes' argument is a compelling one. However, Kendrick played a large part in drafting several of the current Nevada unarmed combat laws and sources inside Zuffa have told MaxFighting that they feel confident in the validity of their contracts as they pertain to Nevada law.
Liddell, despite his number one contender slot, stepped aside for Ken Shamrock last November. In doing so, his contract guaranteed his next bout would be for the UFC 205-pound belt. Initial plans called for the Ortiz-Liddell bout to take place this week in Miami at UFC 42. That never panned out.
Citing injuries incurred during his TKO victory over Shamrock, Ortiz turned down the spring bout. Following backlash from fans and media, Ortiz stated numerous times that the Liddell contest would take place this coming June. On March 14, Holmes informed Zuffa that Ortiz would not sign the Bout Agreement that would pit him versus Liddell in June, thus delaying the highly anticipated bout yet again.
On March 19, Holmes contacted Kendrick with a verbal offer that would have had Ortiz fight in June for double the purse currently outlined in Ortiz's contract (he received $160,000 versus Shamrock) versus someone other than Liddell.
As the June UFC drew near - Liddell forced into the ring due to the terms of his contract, and Ortiz later claiming he was unfit to compete - White says Zuffa had no other option than to create an interim title bout, featuring Liddell versus former heavyweight champion Randy Couture.
"…Zuffa has attempted to impose its will on Tito as his exclusive promoter and manager, by unilaterally creating an interim title to be issued by the UFC at its matches in June," Holmes states in his letter. "By threatening to create this paper champion, Zuffa not only violates the duty it owes to Tito, but also confirms that it is acting as a sanctioning organization in violation of Nevada law."
"The thing is, we've received a letter from Tito's camp saying Tito is injured," counters White. "His former manager, and Tito, told me he has a hand injury, knee injury and just had Lasic surgery on his eyes. Plus his new attorney told us he had 'entertainment' obligations at the same time as our June 6th event. So he couldn't fight in June. Chuck had to fight in June per his contract and it had to be for a title. Chuck Liddell is fighting for an interim title."
As far as Zuffa is concerned, Ortiz is currently under contract and is obligated to fight the winner of the Liddell-Couture contest the next time he steps into the ring. "Tito is the light heavyweight champion and as soon as he's back in shape, back in form -- whatever his deal is -- the light heavyweight champion will fight the light heavyweight interim champion to see who the real number one guy is at 205,"said White.
According to several sources, however, Ortiz has no plans on fighting Liddell in the initial bout of the proposed three-fight deal. First, that plan has him earning $400,000-$450,000 to face Guy Mezger, a fighter Ortiz split bouts with before becoming champion in 1999.
Holmes didn't express an interest in Mezger when MaxFighting spoke to him two weeks ago, but he did seem excited about the prospect of Ortiz stepping into the Octagon versus Frank Shamrock, who delivered Ortiz's last loss. Following the second bout on the proposed three-fight contract that would pay $500,000-$550,000, Ortiz, purportedly, would earn $750,000 to face Liddell.
With Zuffa unwilling to renegotiate Ortiz's current deal, the light heavyweight titleholder cannot idly sit on the sidelines waiting for his contract to run out. The Las Vegas-based promoter holds an option to extend Ortiz's contract equal to the amount of time he sits out due to injury. He's already missed nine months in 2002 following surgery for a torn ACL and his current ailments are sure to add several more months to the agreement.
"Tito signed a contract," said White. "We honor our contracts with all our fighters. If you don't think I've cut bad deals before where I've done a long-term deal with guys and two fights in, let's say someone has a six-fight deal, it's not going the way I thought it was going to go and the guy is on a two-fight losing streak, I'm going to honor the contract."
Ortiz, meanwhile, doesn't seem to be working under the same thought process. Saying that bouts versus Liddell and Shamrock could be "huge," Holmes and Ortiz are posturing for two hefty paydays before a potential Liddell fight.
"We want this to happen, obviously," said Holmes.
Any Zuffa-promoted bout featuring Frank Shamrock seems like a long shot, especially after an already strained relationship turned ugly in recent months. "Frank Shamrock is not under contract with us and we have no relationship with Frank Shamrock," said White.
The name on everyone's mind, however, is Liddell. Assuming he gets by Couture, the contract situation between Ortiz and Zuffa will not be any easier to resolve. Fans can expect Zuffa to address the situation on their upcoming April 25 UFC pay-per-view.
For Comments, E-Mail jgross@maxfighting.com
Click here for the article page from MaxFighting! (http://208.40.175.225/Gross/gross_042103.php)
IMO, Tito is a drama queen.
Rift Between Ortiz, Zuffa Grows : :
By Josh Gross (April 21, 2003)
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight titleholder Tito Ortiz has asked Zuffa, promoters of the UFC, for a renegotiation of his current contract that could pay him somewhere in the range of $1.3 to $1.75 million over three fights, MaxFighting has learned.
Neither Ortiz's lead counsel, Henry Holmes, a Los Angeles-based entertainment lawyer, who represents George Foreman and Hulk Hogan among others, nor representatives of Zuffa would confirm the dollar amount of the proposed deal. Sources close to the situation, however, intimated that the initial proposal from Ortiz's side would make him one of the highest paid fighters in mixed martial arts history.
Holmes says the offer is "proportional" to what other mixed martial artists make. Currently signed to a long-term deal, Ortiz is attempting to renegotiate while a fight versus UFC number one contender Chuck Liddell awaits him.
The past year has seen deposed UFC champions, Jens Pulver and Murilo Bustamante, part ways with Zuffa following failed contract negotiations. Ortiz, however, is the first to demand a renegotiation while under contract.
"We honor all our contracts and we expect all the people that fight for us to honor theirs, too," said UFC president Dana White. "Especially someone who's been treated as good as Tito."
"We don't think his contract is appropriate," counters Holmes, referring to Ortiz's current deal. "He's as much a champ as Roy Jones Jr., Lennox Lewis and Oscar de la Hoya. As important as Bill Goldberg."
Holmes appears to be challenging the validity of Ortiz's contract as it relates to Nevada law. In an April 10, 2003 letter obtained by MaxFighting from Holmes to Zuffa general counsel Kirk Hendrick, Zuffa's role as promoter, manager and sanctioning body as it relates to putting Ortiz in the Octagon is challenged.
"…Nevada law expressly prohibits agreements that oblige a fighter to fight exclusively for one promoter or at the option of the promoter," the letter states.
"Zuffa's contract specifically provides that Tito 'shall not participate' in any bouts other than [those] promoted or co-promoted by Zuffa,'" the two-page document continues. "Zuffa's form bout agreements, therefore, clearly do not present the true nature of the relationship between Tito and Zuffa, which is, as the title of the contract implies, an 'Exclusive Promotion' relationship.
"In light of the broad powers with which Zuffa acts under this contract, the law imposes on Zuffa the highest standards, and mandates that Zuffa act to protect Tito's interests above all others, including his own. Simply stated, Zuffa has not done so."
Should the Nevada State Athletic Commission hear Ortiz's challenge, the statutes in question would be closely scrutinized to see if they should be changed. NSAC general counsel Keith Kizer would not comment on Holmes' claim, offering only that "Mr. Holmes and Mr. Kendrick were two top-notch attorneys. I am sure they will fully explain their respective positions if the need arises."
On the surface it appears as if Holmes' argument is a compelling one. However, Kendrick played a large part in drafting several of the current Nevada unarmed combat laws and sources inside Zuffa have told MaxFighting that they feel confident in the validity of their contracts as they pertain to Nevada law.
Liddell, despite his number one contender slot, stepped aside for Ken Shamrock last November. In doing so, his contract guaranteed his next bout would be for the UFC 205-pound belt. Initial plans called for the Ortiz-Liddell bout to take place this week in Miami at UFC 42. That never panned out.
Citing injuries incurred during his TKO victory over Shamrock, Ortiz turned down the spring bout. Following backlash from fans and media, Ortiz stated numerous times that the Liddell contest would take place this coming June. On March 14, Holmes informed Zuffa that Ortiz would not sign the Bout Agreement that would pit him versus Liddell in June, thus delaying the highly anticipated bout yet again.
On March 19, Holmes contacted Kendrick with a verbal offer that would have had Ortiz fight in June for double the purse currently outlined in Ortiz's contract (he received $160,000 versus Shamrock) versus someone other than Liddell.
As the June UFC drew near - Liddell forced into the ring due to the terms of his contract, and Ortiz later claiming he was unfit to compete - White says Zuffa had no other option than to create an interim title bout, featuring Liddell versus former heavyweight champion Randy Couture.
"…Zuffa has attempted to impose its will on Tito as his exclusive promoter and manager, by unilaterally creating an interim title to be issued by the UFC at its matches in June," Holmes states in his letter. "By threatening to create this paper champion, Zuffa not only violates the duty it owes to Tito, but also confirms that it is acting as a sanctioning organization in violation of Nevada law."
"The thing is, we've received a letter from Tito's camp saying Tito is injured," counters White. "His former manager, and Tito, told me he has a hand injury, knee injury and just had Lasic surgery on his eyes. Plus his new attorney told us he had 'entertainment' obligations at the same time as our June 6th event. So he couldn't fight in June. Chuck had to fight in June per his contract and it had to be for a title. Chuck Liddell is fighting for an interim title."
As far as Zuffa is concerned, Ortiz is currently under contract and is obligated to fight the winner of the Liddell-Couture contest the next time he steps into the ring. "Tito is the light heavyweight champion and as soon as he's back in shape, back in form -- whatever his deal is -- the light heavyweight champion will fight the light heavyweight interim champion to see who the real number one guy is at 205,"said White.
According to several sources, however, Ortiz has no plans on fighting Liddell in the initial bout of the proposed three-fight deal. First, that plan has him earning $400,000-$450,000 to face Guy Mezger, a fighter Ortiz split bouts with before becoming champion in 1999.
Holmes didn't express an interest in Mezger when MaxFighting spoke to him two weeks ago, but he did seem excited about the prospect of Ortiz stepping into the Octagon versus Frank Shamrock, who delivered Ortiz's last loss. Following the second bout on the proposed three-fight contract that would pay $500,000-$550,000, Ortiz, purportedly, would earn $750,000 to face Liddell.
With Zuffa unwilling to renegotiate Ortiz's current deal, the light heavyweight titleholder cannot idly sit on the sidelines waiting for his contract to run out. The Las Vegas-based promoter holds an option to extend Ortiz's contract equal to the amount of time he sits out due to injury. He's already missed nine months in 2002 following surgery for a torn ACL and his current ailments are sure to add several more months to the agreement.
"Tito signed a contract," said White. "We honor our contracts with all our fighters. If you don't think I've cut bad deals before where I've done a long-term deal with guys and two fights in, let's say someone has a six-fight deal, it's not going the way I thought it was going to go and the guy is on a two-fight losing streak, I'm going to honor the contract."
Ortiz, meanwhile, doesn't seem to be working under the same thought process. Saying that bouts versus Liddell and Shamrock could be "huge," Holmes and Ortiz are posturing for two hefty paydays before a potential Liddell fight.
"We want this to happen, obviously," said Holmes.
Any Zuffa-promoted bout featuring Frank Shamrock seems like a long shot, especially after an already strained relationship turned ugly in recent months. "Frank Shamrock is not under contract with us and we have no relationship with Frank Shamrock," said White.
The name on everyone's mind, however, is Liddell. Assuming he gets by Couture, the contract situation between Ortiz and Zuffa will not be any easier to resolve. Fans can expect Zuffa to address the situation on their upcoming April 25 UFC pay-per-view.
For Comments, E-Mail jgross@maxfighting.com
Click here for the article page from MaxFighting! (http://208.40.175.225/Gross/gross_042103.php)
IMO, Tito is a drama queen.