Michael Bisping is embroiled in a lawsuit in the UK with his old gym, Wolfslair. A trial is ongoing in which his former gym and managers claim the welterweight champion owes them 270,000 pounds (or approximately $350,000).
The UK’s Daily Mail reported that Anthony McGann, owner of the Wolfslair Gym and Bisping’s former manager claims the fighter owes them for management fees dating back 10 years. Bisping denies the claim and states he never signed a renewed contract with McGann in 2012.
Bisping signed a deal with McGann and the Wolfslair MMA Gym in 2005 but severed ties with them in 2012 claiming they were “violent people.” He moved to the U.S. to train and found new management. McGann is seeking management fees from the years he was aligned with the gym.
In Court, Bisping denied signing a contract that was presented to him during testimony. He claimed that it was his signature but the document was not the same.
The contract stated that McGann would receive a 20% commission from the representation of Bisping.
At the time of this writing, a decision has yet to be rendered.
Payout Perspective:
This is another example of why there is a need for an Ali Act in MMA. I am not familiar with the laws in the UK, but it’s clear that either Bisping did not know what he was signing and that McGann may have taken advantage of him. 20% is a pretty steep commission, if the contract dictated that is what he had to pay. On the other hand, you have cases like Ronda Rousey and former manager Darin Harvey. Harvey may have had good intentions, at some point, and advanced costs to Rousey, and never received payment back. We will see how this plays out. If it is truly $350,000 in fees I don’t see why Bisping does not attempt to settle the case unless it’s a principal of the matter issue. Sorry $350,000 so settlement may be out of question.
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