Congrats To Fred Ettish

UFC 2 veteran Fred Ettish scored a win in his comeback fight in Minnesota on Saturday night. The 53-year old karate and Miletich Fighting Systems instructor won via tapout due to strikes, and has now avenged the only loss on his record. Congrats Fred!

Fred Ettish To Return To Fighting on August 15th

UFC 2 veteran Fred Ettish will return to mixed martial arts competition on August 15th at a small show in Minnesota - a newsworthy tidbit because Ettish is 0-1, 53-years-old and a well-respected member of the MMA community. For those who came into this sport because "The Ultimate Fighter" looked cool or because they loved watching Kimbo Slice on CBS, Ettish entered the Octagon wearing a karate gi and wielding a traditional martial arts background, and in the minds of many, his subsequent loss made him the embodiment of all that didn't work in an actual limited-rules fight. But nothing could have been further from the truth, and in the 15 years since, Ettish has molded himself into a cross-trained Miletich Fighting Systems instructor and a very appreciated part of MMA history. MMA Journalist certainly wishes him luck, but win or lose, Ettish will always remain a warrior.

More From Shady Promoter's Attorney

"I have placed a call to my client regarding your interview. He will not be speaking to you directly. However, I will make a few comments on his behalf if he authorizes me to do so. I feel that it is very important to clarify a few points.

1. Shady Kansas City Promotion Trying to Screw One of Fred Ettish's Fighters. (FALSE)
2. "A shady Kansas City-based promotion called CQC, which held an event in the KC area on March 21st, is trying to screw one of Fred Ettish's fighters." (FALSE)

These are both false statements and I have duly notified you, through my cease and desist letter, that these statements are false. I'm glad you cited New York v. Sullivan in your email dated April 6, 2009. That case stated: public officials cannot recover in a defamation suit unless he/she can show the statement was made with "'actual malice' - that is, with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not." I am telling you for the second time that Rick Huddleston is not trying to screw any fighter. If you continue to publish articles stating that he is, you will be making statements in "reckless disregard of whether it was false or not." Furthermore, New York v. Sullivan is only relevant in regard to "government and public officials." Rick Huddleston is not a public official or public figure. He is a private individual.

Ultimately, I would like to speak to you, on behalf of Mr. Huddleston, to clear the air. While I am not at liberty to discuss much of the factual information relating to this case, I have some information that I would like to provide for you. This information should be quite helpful to you in your search for the "truth" in this present matter. I don't know if you have spoken to Mr. Francis or Mr. Kuny (Francis' attorney), but I do not believe it would be ethical for me to reveal all facts relating to the present breach of contract dispute.

In closing, I would like some information from you, in return for the information I will be providing you. You are the editor for Full Contact Fighter Magazine. I would like some information about this publication. Corporate office? Address? Number? In case I ever need to contact you directly.

Sincerely,

Shady Promoter's attorney"

"Cease and Desist"

Mr. Genia,

I have been retained by Mr. Rick Huddleston to represent him in a dispute with Mr. Wayne Francis stemming from the War of the Warriors event at the KC Sports Lodge on March 21, 2009.

Last Monday, I discovered an internet [article] written by you, titled “Shady Kansas City Promotion Trying to Screw One of Fred Ettish’s Fighters.” This article was found on the front page of www.fcfighter.com/news. [Editor's note: goddammit, it was on this blog.]

Currently, Mr. Huddleston and Mr. Francis are disputing various things, including responsibility for payment of the purse. Until such time that this legal matter has been resolved I demand that you cease and desist from making any further disparaging comments about my Client on the present issue. I further request that you remove this article from the internet. If you choose not remove this false information from the internet, my client will consider bringing a defamation suit against you

I would like to conclude by stating that Mr. Huddleston is working hard to resolve this dispute and it is his sincere desire to see that these fighters get paid. I can personally assure you that the legal process will run its course and the fighters will get paid. Until that time, however, please refrain from making any disparaging or false comments about my client with respect to the present issue.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call or contact me.

Sincerely,

WYRSCH HOBBS & MIRAKIAN, P.C.

By:

CHRISTOPHER MIRAKIAN

MO Bar # 61178

WYRSCH HOBBS & MIRAKIAN, P.C.

1000 Walnut, Suite 1600

Kansas City, MO 64106

Phone: 816-221-0080

Shady Kansas City Promotion Trying to Screw One of Fred Ettish's Fighters

A shady Kansas City-based promotion called Close Quarter Combat, which held an event in the Kansas City area on March 21st, is trying to screw one of Fred Ettish's fighters - but you don't try to screw one of Ettish's fighters and get away with it. A competitor in UFC 2 and well-respected and longtime member of the MMA community, Ettish runs a Miletich Fighting Systems school nearby, and when CQC matchmakers Rick Huddleston and Jason Shane came around snooping for participants for their March event one of Ettish's students signed up. Unfortunately, despite athletic commission presence and oversight, no one got paid after the show... so Ettish is going to the press. And the state's attorney general. And the governor's office. And taking legal action. Bottom line: don't screw with Fred, because Fred is the Man. "CQC believes in helping our fighters reach their highest potential inside and outside the ring," reads a pre-event statement from the promotion. "We strive to help our fighters get maximum potential earnings and exposure during their career and to prepare them for a successful life after fighting in the ring." They seem to be failing to live up to their mission statement.