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UFC Champ Randy Couture Sued for Non-Payment of $175,000 for Production of Gala to Support Military Families
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Randy Couture, the Heavyweight Champ
of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), is being sued for non-payment
for the production of a gala that was to help military families. Couture,
who is fighting in Las Vegas this weekend as part of an UFC card at the MGM
Grand Garden Arena, also heads an organization known as Xtreme Couture GI
Foundation, a Nevada based, non-profit organization dedicated to financial
support of military families. The event, which was held May 27, 2007, was
also purportedly held to support the launch of Couture's clothing line.
"Our client, Toast of New York, LLC, performed under incredible
pressure and a constantly shrinking budget to produce a large scale,
cutting edge event as requested by Couture and his representatives,"
explained Terry Coffing, managing partner in the law firm of Marquis &
Aurbach.
Toast of New York, which specializes in high end red carpet/black tie
events, literally transformed Couture's gym into an over the top
experience; instead of a red carpet, UFC fighters walked an entry of custom
designed camouflage carpet and custom choppers. The room was themed with a
DJ in a fighting Octagon and guests were treated to the hottest video games
through Xbox Live. Video of the event is available at
Xtreme Sacrifice
Explained Coffing, "Our client was not responsible for selling tickets
or getting sponsors to the event -- Couture's agent, Matt Walker, believed
Couture's name would be a big enough draw to bring sponsors and ticket
holders in droves. The suit alleges that when neither the crowds nor the
sponsors showed, Couture only paid $50,000 of the $175,000 bill."
Toast of New York, LLC is an event planning and production company with
offices on both coasts. The company has experience in planning events for
national entertainment, products and sports figures. Past clients have
included Fox Television, X-Box, Oprah, Coors Light, ESPN and Maxim
Magazine.
SOURCE Marquis & Aurbach