If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much - I don't think Zack would file this lawsuit if he didn't have proof. We will see where it goes.
I don't think Zack would file this lawsuit if he didn't have proof.
If it aint Dutch it aint much
What is interesting to me is that If Zack does have evidence, why wait until he was terminated to make all this public knowledge? if he didnt agree with Bellator business practices , with respect, maybe he should have said something sooner.
"Do Indian reservation commissions even have to follow any rules?"
yes, but minimally, mainly to avoid terrible publicity ( like bare knuckle fights ). They are considered a Sovereign Nation so "technically" they are not in the USA and not governed by non-capital law.
The Bellator event regarding Martinez was not on an Indian reservation.
Hope this helps.
Tomato Can - The first point is dumb. All promoters set up fights where they know 1 fighter is likely to lose badly. If that were illegal, combat sports would cease to exist. Unless there is evidence that fights were fixed, then I don't see that complaint having any teeth.
The other 3 points seem more serious though, especially the one about falsified medical records. As others have pointed out, WSOF has the same conflict of interest with an executive of the promotion also managing some fighters. Presumably that would violate the Ali Act but I swear that law goes almost entirely unenforced anyway.
Regarding the falsisfied medical records: Wouldn't it be very easy for the Bellator guys to throw up their hands and say "we didn't know about this"? I've heard Coker say in interviews "we have athletic commissions that handle this type of stuff, and we stay out of it"....Granted, in the interview I heard him say this, I think he was answering a question regarding the new USADA deal with the UFC, but still, seems like another perfect place for that same explanation, wheather its geniune or not. Sounds like it would be a he said she said situation.
JPet - Regarding fighter paperwork Light should be suing the respective Commissions not the PROMOTION.VU
The commission has the sole responsibility to review and check fighter paperwork and approve or disapprove a license.
While the Promotion has a vested interest it has absolutely no authority to override a Commission decision in this area.
The AZ Commission actually "threw me under the bus" in a lawsuit against them and succeeded in getting both the Promoter and I included in the law suit. The Commission settled their portion of the case for $25000. The charges against the Promoter and I were dropped with prejudice,
Sunkist1207 -If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much - I don't think Zack would file this lawsuit if he didn't have proof. We will see where it goes.I don't think Zack would file this lawsuit if he didn't have proof.
If it aint Dutch it aint much
What is interesting to me is that If Zack does have evidence, why wait until he was terminated to make all this public knowledge? if he didnt agree with Bellator business practices , with respect, maybe he should have said something sooner.
JPet - Regarding fighter paperwork Light should be suing the respective Commissions not the PROMOTION.So you're saying they should be charged with fraud?
The commission has the sole responsibility to review and check fighter paperwork and approve or disapprove a license.
While the Promotion has a vested interest it has absolutely no authority to override a Commission decision in this area.
The AZ Commission actually "threw me under the bus" in a lawsuit against them and succeeded in getting both the Promoter and I included in the law suit. The Commission settled their portion of the case for $25000. The charges against the Promoter and I were dropped with prejudice,
rockwell -I respect your opinion butcharms434 - That's a class action suit if they had 'collusive' or fixed fights, correct?They aren't even alleging fixed fights.
They are claiming that Bellator allegedly gave tough match ups to fighters they wanted to cut.
Lol at gives guys they don't like bad match ups, isn't that the UFC model?
cyborgpeggedmybullwinkle - "So you're saying they should be charged with fraud?"
No, I am saying exactly what I stated. Light has absolutely no case against Bellator for fraudulent medicals.
It the accusation is true he could sue the AZ Commission but he would be hard pressed to establish any real damages so I think that would be a waste of his time.
JPet - "Do Indian reservation commissions even have to follow any rules?"
yes, but minimally, mainly to avoid terrible publicity ( like bare knuckle fights ). They are considered a Sovereign Nation so "technically" they are not in the USA and not governed by non-capital law.
The Bellator event regarding Martinez was not on an Indian reservation.
Hope this helps.
Incorrect. Not all Indian Reservations are the same and all are subject to federal and sometimes state law, depending on the circumstances. Reservations are subject to Public Law 280, 638, or are self-governing. Indian Reservations are a separate sovereign, not a separate nation, i.e., do you present a passport when you visit an Indian casino?
Source: I have 17 years experience working in Indian Country federal law enforcement and I'm required to know Indian Country criminal and civil jurisdiction.
shaqitup - Lol at gives guys they don't like bad match ups, isn't that the UFC model?Nothing wrong with it. It's up to the fighter and the manager to look out for somebody's career. If they offer you a bad match-up, it's 100% on you, if you accept it.
Sounds like SOP for most smaller organizations no? I remember hearing about how they had these managers in charge of various territories so they didn't have to hire their own guy. So those guys could set up fights beneficial to their own managed fighters while forcing other fighters into bad fights and contracts. Guys would do all this dirty shit pretending to be working directly for Bellator when they didn't actually have that authority. Maybe someone can dig that post up but no one seemed to care back then. But it seemed to mostly apply to the undercard unknown local fighters that they used to fill the cards up with.
Muay Tired - I have no doubt that you are correct.
I was just trying to answer the question "are there any rules governing mma on Indian reservations" and my main answer was
"yes, but minimally, mainly to avoid terrible publicity ( like bare knuckle fights )" ... which I don't believe you disagree with.
Some reservations do have inter-tribal agreements with the state Commission which allows the state Commission to take charge.
Haha Zack Light... The dude publicly does cocaine and offers it to his fighters. He's a scumbag. I know a former Bellator fighter that has video of him threatening to ruin his career (dispute over a fight opponent). I can't believe Bellator kept this guy so long!
And now Kimbo dies.
One has to seriously be wondering about these pre fight medicals being forged, and what types of things were being ignored over there, which ultimately led to very sick fighters, climbing into the cage.
Zach might have exposed what will ultimately sink the company.
I haven't read this whole thread but is this the same zach Light who fought in the UFC and had terrible bitch tits?
Vrill -Yes
I haven't read this whole thread but is this the same zach Light who fought in the UFC and had terrible bitch tits?