Fresh from Josh Hedges at Zuffa –
LAS VEGAS, July 30, 2002: Officials of Zuffa LLC, the owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), today announced that it has withdrawn its title recognition from Josh Barnett as the UFC Heavyweight Champion.ÿ Zuffa’s action is based on the Friday, July 26, unanimous vote (5-0) by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to suspend Barnett’s license for six months.ÿThe NSAC listened to several hours of testimony and presentation of evidence and concluded Barnett violated Nevada’s unarmed combat laws by having three, separate anabolic agents in his body when he won the UFC heavyweight title from Randy Couture March 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.ÿ ….Read More for the full release and details.
ÿ UFC WITHDRAWS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE RECOGNITION FROM BARNETT;
COUTURE, RODRIGUEZ TO FIGHT FOR VACANT CHAMPIONSHIP, SEPT. 27
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ LAS VEGAS, July 30, 2002…Officials of Zuffa LLC, the owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), today announced that it has withdrawn its title recognition from Josh Barnett as the UFC Heavyweight Champion.ÿ Zuffa’s action is based on the Friday, July 26, unanimous vote (5-0) by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to suspend Barnett’s license for six months.ÿ The NSAC listened to several hours of testimony and presentation of evidence and concluded Barnett violated Nevada’s unarmed combat laws by having three, separate anabolic agents in his body when he won the UFC heavyweight title from Randy Couture March 22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ The UFC waited more than four months while Barnett dealt with the disciplinary case brought by the NSAC.ÿ “We intentionally avoided making any statements prior to the Commission’s hearing because it was a matter between Josh and the State of Nevada.ÿ We also waited to take any action regarding the status of our heavyweight division because Josh deserved time to answer the Commission’s allegations,” said Dana White, UFC president.
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ “Zuffa supports the Commission’s goal of protecting the health and safety of the competitors.ÿ We want to see mixed martial arts become the premier combat sport in the world and therefore, we must move forward.ÿ The top spot in the heavyweight division is now vacant, and the new champion will be decided in the Octagon,” White said.
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ White announced that former UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy “The Natural” Couture will meet top contender Ricco “Suave” Rodriguez Friday, September 27, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., to determine who will be the next heavyweight champion.ÿ Tickets for UFC 39: The Warriors Return will go on sale Wednesday, August 7, at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office, at tickets.com or by calling tickets.com at 1-800-477-6849.ÿ The fight also will be available on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, Dish Network, Bell ExpressVu and Viewers Choice Canada pay-per-view television.ÿ The suggested retail price is $29.95.
In light of the NSAC’s disciplinary action, Zuffa is requesting the Commission to consider declaring the March 22 heavyweight fight a “no contest.”ÿ Under Nevada law, only the Commission can change the result of a contest held within the state.ÿ The Commission’s decision could take several weeks and White said Zuffa will support whatever decision is reached.
ÿ“Josh Barnett is a gentleman, a fierce competitor and has always conducted himself as a true champion.ÿ I hope he keeps training and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him become a champion again some day.ÿ Once his suspension is over, Zuffa welcomes the chance to discuss his possible return to the UFC,” White said.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (www.ufc.tv), headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., is the world’s leading mixed martial arts pay-per-view sports event.ÿ It is owned and operated by Zuffa LLC.ÿ In addition to U.S. television distribution outlets, it has partnership agreements with British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) in London, England; WOWOW, Inc. in Tokyo, which operates the leading cable network in Japan; Globosat Programmadora LTDA in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Modern Sports & Entertainment, which operates Viasat Ticket, the leading cable television network in Scandinavia.ÿ It also has a partnership with CRAVE Entertainment, which creates and markets UFC video games on PlayStation, PlayStation2, Xbox and GameCube formats for retail outlets and on www.ufcvideogame.com.