In early 2017, former UFC fighter Mark Hunt (who was under a contract at the time) had filed a lawsuit against the UFC, UFC President Dana White and current WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. The lawsuit filed by Hunt accused the trio of such charges as racketeering, fraud and conspiracy.
A report from MMA Junkie is stating that in a ruling issued on Valentine’s Day 2019, all but one of the claims Hunt filed has been dismissed with prejudice. That means that all the claims against both White and Lesnar have been fully dismissed and cannot be refiled, while one claim against the UFC hasn’t been dismissed.
Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey of Nevada made the ruling, while also stating that a mandatory settlement hearing must be put together so the two sides can come to an agreement on the lone charge that still stands, which is a claim of a breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing against the UFC.
Also according to MMA Junkie, charges such as federal and state RICO violations; common-law fraud and aiding and abetting; breach of contract; unjust enrichment; battery and aiding and abetting; and civil conspiracy have all been dismissed by the judge.
Dorsey also stated in her judgment that competing against fighters who are using illegal substances is a risk others take when facing them:
“Like that intentional throw, the fact that Lesnar was allegedly doping violated the bout rules established by UFC and the NAC but does not alone establish that his conduct exceeded the ordinary range of activity in an MMA fight. As Hunt’s own allegations demonstrate, doping is an unfortunately common issue in MMA and was a risk he perceived. And although he argues that doping empowered Lesnar to move faster and hit harder, Hunt doesn’t allege that Lesnar’s conduct during the bout was somehow atypical—such as throwing Hunt out of the octagon or using ‘packed gloves’ or a weapon. Nor does Hunt claim that his injuries exceeded those typical of an MMA bout. Accordingly, I find that Hunt consented to his fight with Lesnar, which precludes civil-battery liability.”
Hunt left the UFC in late 2018 after a loss at UFC Fight Night Adelaide, while Lesnar is reportedly returning to the promotion sometime this year.
There has been no statements issued by the UFC, White, Lesnar or Hunt at this time.
