Is there a greater duty to protect MMA fighters against harm from doping fighters? Mark Hunt v UFC

Wednesday, 26 July 2017 Author: Saurabh Mishra, Udit Misra

The consequences of doping arguably hold greater significance in combat sports, where competitors are paid to inflict direct damage upon each other. Not only is there an elevated risk of serious physical (and mental) injury, but mandatory medical suspensions due to injuries also limit a competitor’s ability to compete and thus earn a living.

It is within this context that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter, Mark Hunt (a competitotor from New Zealand who regularly competes in the UFC’s heavyweight division) has filed a US law suit against one of his prior competitors, Brock Lesnar, and the UFC.

This article examines the facts and accusations of Hunt’s complaint. Specifically, it looks at:

Facts and causes of action;
The allegations of:
- racketeering
- fraud
- battery
- breach of contract
- unjust enrichment
Hunt’s previous experiences fighting doping competitors
Comment and potential effects of the case for the UFC and MMA

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Tags: Anti-Doping | Boxing | Combat Sports | Dispute Resolution | MMA | UFC | UFC Anti-Doping Policy | United States of America (USA) | US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) | World Anti-Doping Code (WADC)

Written by

Saurabh Mishra

Saurabh is a lawyer working as counsel for Star India Pvt. Ltd. He is also associated with the Football Players Association of India (FPAI). He received his B.A./LLB from The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata, and was a recipient of the Graduate Scholar Award at the Fifth International Conference on Sport and Society in July 2014. He has previously worked with organisations such as Adidas and Atletico de Kolkata, a franchise in the Hero Indian Super League.

@ThSaurabhMishra

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Udit Misra

Although a qualified lawyer, Udit works at the intersection of business, media and technology at Saavn Media Pvt. Ltd. He has also been associated with Pro Sport Development in India in an advisory capacity. He received his B.A./LL.B. from the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata in 2016. Udit has previously also worked with Luthra & Luthra Law Offices in New Delhi.

@uditmisra