BJ Penn Sues Zuffa Over Stripping of Welterweight Title
Mike Sloan Jul 23, 2004
Deposed UFC welterweight champion BJ Penn won’t go without a fight.
Penn and his attorneys, Raleigh, Hunt and McGarry, P.C. of Las Vegas, Nevada, officially filed a Complaint with the District Court, Clark County, Nevada on July 8, 2004 against Zuffa/UFC, alleging the fight promoter wrongfully stripped the Hawaiian of the UFC welterweight title, which he won by submitting reigning champion Matt Hughes via rear-naked choke January 31, 2004.
The Complaint goes on to allege that in stripping Penn, Zuffa breached its contract with “The Prodigy.” Penn also asks the court for injunctive relief, which could restrain or prohibit Zuffa from conducting a UFC welterweight championship bout without Penn. In other words, Penn is attempting to block an October 22 welterweight title fight between Hughes and Georges St. Pierre.
Penn has asked the court to enter judgment against Zuffa according to proof plus interest as authorized by contract and/or law, for consequential damages in excess of $10,000, for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, for the return of the UFC welterweight title, for declaratory and injunctive relief, among others.
Penn and his attorneys, Raleigh, Hunt and McGarry, P.C. of Las Vegas, Nevada, officially filed a Complaint with the District Court, Clark County, Nevada on July 8, 2004 against Zuffa/UFC, alleging the fight promoter wrongfully stripped the Hawaiian of the UFC welterweight title, which he won by submitting reigning champion Matt Hughes via rear-naked choke January 31, 2004.
The Complaint goes on to allege that in stripping Penn, Zuffa breached its contract with “The Prodigy.” Penn also asks the court for injunctive relief, which could restrain or prohibit Zuffa from conducting a UFC welterweight championship bout without Penn. In other words, Penn is attempting to block an October 22 welterweight title fight between Hughes and Georges St. Pierre.
Penn has asked the court to enter judgment against Zuffa according to proof plus interest as authorized by contract and/or law, for consequential damages in excess of $10,000, for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, for the return of the UFC welterweight title, for declaratory and injunctive relief, among others.
