Veteran fighter Mark Hunt appears to have exhausted all available legal avenues in his lawsuit against the UFC, Dana White, and Brock Lesnar. The suit originated from events surrounding his fight against Lesnar at UFC 200 in 2016.
This past Tuesday, a three-judge panel from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a prior decision made by Judge Jennifer Dorsey. That ruling had previously dismissed Hunt`s claims against his former employer. The lawsuit began with allegations including battery, fraud, and conspiracy, eventually focusing on accusations that the UFC knowingly misled him and arranged for him to fight an opponent who had used performance-enhancing drugs.
Hunt initially lost the fight by unanimous decision. However, the result was later changed to a no-contest after Lesnar tested positive for clomiphene, a substance prohibited for UFC athletes at all times.
In their decision, the appeals panel once again ruled against Hunt, confirming Judge Dorsey`s 2023 judgment that dismissed the remaining claims brought by the former heavyweight contender.
The ruling 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.” It continued, noting that despite his claims that such evidence existed, Hunt`s team acknowledged during arguments and in briefs that proof of damages had not been “adequately presented.” The court emphasized that at the summary judgment phase, the party opposing dismissal must present concrete evidence to show there is a factual dispute worthy of trial, rather than simply hoping to develop evidence later. Therefore, without evidence of damages directly linked to the defendants` alleged actions, the appeals court was obligated to affirm the prior dismissal.
Following numerous unsuccessful appeals, Hunt eventually lost his legal representation and proceeded to argue his case pro se (representing himself).
The lawsuit, though initially dismissed, saw a brief revival when the Ninth Circuit Court granted Hunt permission to pursue claims of fraud and battery, allowing him to move into the discovery phase of the case.
However, this renewed attempt also failed. Judge Dorsey dismissed these claims once more, stating that Hunt had been “unable to provide the necessary evidentiary support for his theories.”
Now that her decision has been affirmed by the Ninth Circuit, Hunt`s lawsuit against the UFC is effectively at an end. Reports indicate he remains liable for legal fees incurred during the extensive case.
After the initial dismissal in 2023, UFC President Dana White reacted by calling Hunt “delusional” and commented that Hunt would “have to pay some legal fees.” With this latest ruling from the courts, it appears White`s prediction has come true, bringing Hunt`s prolonged legal challenge to a definitive close.
