Phase one of the battle between UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and Fight Tribe Management is over, with Rousey landing the first blow.
The California State Athletic Commission held a hearing to determine if Rousey could actually terminate her contract with Fight Tribe after the two sides ended up at odds. Sherdog has the information on the decision:
According to the CSAC decision obtained by Sherdog.com, the regulatory body ruled that Rousey is free of the mixed martial arts portion of her contract. However, designated arbitrator and CSAC Executive Director Andy Foster did not rule on the commercial aspect of the contract, which he instead deferred to the Superior Court of California.
“The agreement is hereby found to be invalid and unenforceable as it relates to Rousey’s professional fighting services and Harvey’s professional fighting management services, only; the Commission makes no findings as to the other parts of the agreement that are not directly relating to MMA fighting and defers these matters to the California Superior Court,” the CSAC decision read. “Rousey and Harvey are released from their fighter-manager agreement dated May 15, 2012, and the California State Athletic Commission orders any and all purses, which may have been partially or wholly withheld to be released to Rousey.”
So, long story short, Fight Tribe no longer represents Rousey in the fight game according to the CSAC. Fight Tribe’s status as Rousey’s commercial representation was not determined in the hearing and will have to be handled by the California Superior Court.
This likely is not over. However, you can tally a point in the Rousey column.