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 http://homepage.mac.com/realityedit/couture/FileSharing142.html

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