Preliminary Injunction continued until Tuesday in Bellator-Jackson lawsuit

MMA Junkie reports that the hearing on the preliminary injunction filed by Bellator against Rampage Jackson has been continued until Tuesday morning, April 7^th when Judge Karen Suter will render her decision.

There was no reason given for the delay according to the Junkie article.

The injunction sought to preclude Jackson from fighting at UFC 186 later this month.  Bellator sued Jackson in New Jersey for breach of contract.  Jackson claims that he severed his contract as the terms of the contract were not met.  He argues that even after giving Bellator the requisite time to cure, they were not met.

Bellator has filed a request for a preliminary injunction to prevent Jackson from returning to the UFC later this month.  Jackson is scheduled to be in the co-main event.

For Bellator to prevail in its preliminary injunction request, it must prove the following elements:

1. A substantial likelihood of success on the merits of the case;
2. There is a substantial threat of irreparable damage or injury if the injunction is not granted;
3. The “balance of harms” (threatened injury) weighs in favor of the party seeking the preliminary injunction;
4. Granting an injunction would serve the public interest.

Payout Perspective:

Not sure that there is much to read into the delay unless it was done to give more time for the parties to come to some sort of settlement which would allow Jackson to fight in the UFC.  If the Judge rules in Bellator’s favor, Jackson will not be allowed to fight in the UFC and UFC 186 loses another fight.  If Jackson wins, the lawsuit may continue and Jackson will be able to fight on April 25^th.