Mark Hunt has filed an appeal of his lawsuit to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The UFC fighter has decided to roll the dice with another appeal of the dismissal of his lawsuit filed in federal court in Nevada.
As you recall, Hunt filed this lawsuit against Zuffa, Dana White and Zuffa. After amending the Complaint and Zuffa’s Motion to Dismiss, 9 out of 10 claims were dismissed. Hunt filed an appeal of the dismissal of the bulk of his lawsuit but the appellate court affirmed the trial court decision. The appeal seems to be the last resort for Hunt. In a recent filing, Zuffa attorneys have requested the Court for an order for Hunt to pay over $339,000 in attorney fees and costs. The request is pursuant to a clause in Hunt’s contract which states that attorney fees and costs are awarded to the winner of any legal dispute as a result of the contract. Hunt has yet to file a response to the motion for fees by Zuffa.
Hunt’s appellate brief to the Ninth Circuit is not due until March 25, 2020.
Briefing Schedule by MMA Payout on Scribd
Payout Perspective:
At first look at the appeal, it would seem that this would be Hunt doubling down on a 2 in blackjack – not an advised thing to do. With the opinion of the District Court and the subsequent Appeal affirming the dismissal of Hunt’s lawsuit, its hard to see a path for which Hunt would have the Ninth Circuit to overturn the prior rulings. It doesn’t mean that the Ninth Circuit may determine that the lower courts were wrong and find in favor of Hunt, but based on the opinions already handed down, Hunt’s attorneys will have to have a better strategy than its first appeal.
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