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Former middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi has filed a lawsuit in New Jersey against Bellator and its new owners, the PFL, seeking over $15 million in damages. Mousasi claims Bellator and PFL executives, including co-founder Donn Davis, CEO Peter Murray, and matchmaker Mike Kogan, breached his contract and engaged in anti-competitive practices that severely impacted his career.
Mousasi signed a contract with Bellator in 2017, which he extended in 2020 and amended in 2023. According to the lawsuit, he was guaranteed a purse of $150,000 for his first four fights, with subsequent bouts guaranteeing him $200,000. Additionally, he was entitled to a $50,000 finish bonus for wins via knockout or submission, alongside a $600,000 promotional fee per fight. After his first four fights, Mousasi’s earnings per bout were expected to reach up to $850,000.
The lawsuit details how Mousasi fought Fabian Edwards in 2023 despite a significant injury because he feared being sidelined indefinitely. After that bout, his concerns grew as Bellator was sold to PFL, and communication with the promotion became sparse. He expressed his frustration earlier this year:
"The problem is we cannot get ahold of them. They refuse to answer us back. I’ve been training, I’ve been ready."
Mousasi's complaints include being sidelined, despite having a contract that guaranteed fights. His manager made numerous attempts to communicate with PFL executives, but the situation remained unresolved. In May 2024, PFL and Bellator announced his release after Mousasi threatened legal action.
In his lawsuit, Mousasi accuses Bellator and PFL of breaching the implied covenant of good faith and engaging in "anti-competitive monopsony conduct." He also claims that he was misclassified as an independent contractor rather than an employee, further violating his rights.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages of at least $15 million, punitive damages, and attorney fees.
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