Zuffa wins appeal, gets emergency stay in HDNet suit

As MMAPayout.com was the first to report, earlier this week HDNet Fights and Randy Couture scored a major procedural victory in its declaratory judgment action against Zuffa.

However, as expected, Zuffa subsequently appealed the ruling and MMAPayout.com has learned that today the Court of Appeals for the Fifth District of Texas granted an emergency stay pending the mandamus filed by Zuffa. As a result, the summary judgment hearing originally scheduled for June 2 is now on hold indefinitely pending the Court of Appeals' decision.

Zuffa's latest move is consistent with its litigation strategy which appears to be 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, although 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.