Mark Hunt appears to have reached the end of his legal avenues after pursuing a lawsuit against the UFC, Dana White, and Brock Lesnar stemming from his 2016 fight against Lesnar at UFC 200.
Recently, a three-judge panel from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous ruling by Judge Jennifer Dorsey that had dismissed Hunt`s claims against the promotion. The lawsuit initially included allegations of battery, fraud, and conspiracy, eventually focusing on accusations that the UFC deliberately deceived him and arranged a fight against an opponent using performance-enhancing substances.
Although Hunt originally lost the bout via unanimous decision, the outcome was later changed to a no-contest after Lesnar failed a drug test for clomiphene, a banned substance for UFC competitors.
In their recent judgment, the appeals panel reiterated its stance against Hunt, confirming Judge Dorsey`s 2023 decision that had thrown out the last of the former heavyweight contender`s claims against the UFC.
The court`s decision stated:
Unfortunately, Hunt does not point to any evidence in the record of any physical, emotional, economic, or reputational damage or harm attributable to Defendants-Appellees’ conduct. Indeed, while maintaining that such evidence does in fact exist, Hunt acknowledged both in his reply brief and at argument that evidence of damages has not yet been “adequately presented.” At the summary judgment stage, the nonmoving party must present evidence showing there is a genuine issue of material fact for trial.
The decision continued, stating that a party “may not merely… proceed in the hope that something can be developed at trial in the way of evidence to support its claim.” It concluded that “Absent evidence of damages resulting from Defendants-Appellants’ allegedly wrongful conduct, we must affirm.”
After numerous appeals were rejected, Hunt`s legal representation withdrew, leading him to represent himself in the case.
The lawsuit was initially dismissed, but it was later reinstated when the Ninth Circuit Court allowed Hunt to proceed with claims of fraud and battery, enabling him to conduct discovery.
However, that effort was also unsuccessful, as Judge Dorsey again dismissed the claims, stating that Hunt was “unable to provide the necessary evidentiary support for his theories.”
With Judge Dorsey`s decision now affirmed by the appeals court, Hunt`s lawsuit against the UFC is effectively concluded. He remains liable for legal fees associated with the case.
Following the initial dismissal in 2023, Dana White reacted to the news by calling Hunt “delusional” and predicting he would “have to pay some legal fees.” With this latest ruling sealing the lawsuit`s fate, it seems White`s prediction regarding legal costs has come true.
