Mark Hunt files Notice of Appeal in his lawsuit against UFC, White and Lesnar

Mark Hunt has filed a Notice of Appeal to the 9^th Circuit for a potential reversal of the District Court’s decision to decision 9 out of 10 of his claims in his lawsuit filed against the UFC, Dana White and Brock Lesnar.

Plaintiffs are seeking the overturn of the Court’s decision handed out on February 22^nd in which U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey dismissed 9 out of 10 claims brought by the UFC Heavyweight.  Among the claims, he brought allegations under the Civil RICO Act arguing that the UFC had conspired to allow fighters that use banned substances to compete in the UFC.  It also claimed that Brock Lesnar was guilty of battery as Hunt did not assume the risk of fighting an opponent on a banned substance.

The Court dismissed the claims citing no conspiracy and that Hunt had conceded to the involvement in the fight with Lesnar despite the failed drug test by the WWE performer.  The Court indicated that there was nothing out of the norm of ordinary activity in an MMA bout.

Payout Perspective:

While I believed that this fight in the courts would end in a win for the UFC, the Plaintiffs have appealed the decision which will cause a longer process for resolution.  Yet, if you are to look at this case from a legal precedent perspective, there seems to be an argument to be made with Hunt’s assumption of the risk in this case.  MMA Payout will keep you posted.