Mikey Burnett Sues The Ultimate Fighter for — get this — failing to provide a safe environment:
Mikey Burnett, one of the original Lion’s Den members, has filed suit in Clark County District Court against TufGuy Productions, Inc. d/b/a Ultimate Fighting Productions, Inc., the company that produces “The Ultimate Fighter” for Spike TV, as well as American International Group, Inc., an accident and health insurance company associated with the TV show.According to the lawsuit filed on June 9, Burnett claims alleged negligence against the defendants, who “carelessly, recklessly and negligently failed to provide a safe environment for the Ultimate Fighter 4 participants.”
Specifically, the 34-year-old Burnett states that he suffered a career-ending spinal injury during the show’s tapings.
Burnett served as a competitor on the series’ fourth season entitled “The Comeback,” where UFC figures of old and not-so-old got a second chance at glory in the Octagon. Burnett’s appearance on the show, which aired from August-November 2006, ended years of obscurity the Tulsa, Okla. fighter endured after personal struggles with alcohol abuse, injuries and a horrendous recluse spider bite.
An intriguing character from his 1998 bouts at UFC 16 and 18, Burnett flamed out on the show when he failed to reach the finals.
The punchline:
During his tenure inside the ‘TUF’ house, the show aired Burnett running into a wall to stave off boredom.
Perhaps he needs a home with rubber walls.