Randy Couture, HDNet strike first victory against Zuffa

MMAPayout.com has learned Zuffa's efforts to end or, at least delay, HDNet's declaratory judgment action in Texas suffered a series of setbacks this morning.

Judge Carl Ginsberg denied Zuffa's motions to stay, dismiss and/or delay HDNet's motion for summary judgment.

The rulings clear the way for a decision on Randy Couture's contractual status by the court later this summer.

Attention will now shift to June 2 when the court will hear HDNet's motion for summary judgment. The hearing will represent the first time in the eight month dispute that Couture's fight contract will be directly at issue in a judicial proceeding. A favorable ruling could clear the way for Couture-Fedor Emelianenko later this year promoted by HDNet Fights.

Zuffa's preliminary motions were designed to end or at least delay the Texas state court case in favor of the company's later filed arbitration action against Couture, which is proceeding simultaneously, though much slower, in Nevada.

Couture's promotional contract is the subject of each proceeding, however, due to the legal doctrines of res judicata, collateral estoppel, and the full faith and credit clause, the first ruling issued will most likely decide the matter.