Bloody Elbow Exclusive: Ibarra Case - We're Dismissed; We're Sorry Juanito; and Ibarra Speaks Out

As many of you know, Bloody Elbow and its parent company were named in a defamation lawsuit filed by Juanito Ibarra against dozens of internet publishers based on an interview with Ortiz originally published by Punch Drunk Gamer back in September 2008 (broadly excerpted and commented upon by the MMA media). The case has been dismissed with regard to Bloody Elbow and SB Nation, but is still pending against other defendants.

At the heart of the lawsuit has always been Juanito's belief that Mr. Ortiz's comments in the interview - as excerpted on the Bloody Elbow website -- were false and reflected poorly on Mr. Ibarra's business practices. At the time, SB Nation and Bloody Elbow did not investigate the accuracy of Mr. Ortiz's statements and did not intend to suggest or imply that they endorsed the accuracy of Mr. Ortiz's statements. Indeed, to the extent that anything published on Bloody Elbow's website may have been construed as a statement of fact regarding Mr. Ibarra's business practices, Bloody Elbow and SB Nation retract any such publication and regret any such unintended implication and harm that may have resulted therefrom.

Juanito continues to maintain that he has not conducted any improper business dealings. In an exclusive quote provided by Mr. Ibarra to Bloody Elbow, he stated:

"The statements made by Tito Ortiz about me are entirely false. My fighters repose trust and confidence in me and my record over 28 years in the fight business is impeccable.

"I have always placed the interests of my fighters ahead of my own. I have given them my couch to sleep on and my house to live in. I have treated them as if they are a part of my family. I wear my heart on my sleeve and give them everything I can to ensure that each fighter achieves his maximum potential as a person inside and outside of the cage. God has taught me that the truth will last forever and that lies only last for a moment. We strongly believe in the judicial system and are confidant that the truth will come out at trial."

Ibarra is not the only one who believes that he has done nothing improper. Rampage's financial advisor has submitted a declaration in the lawsuit which states that "there was and still is no evidence of any wrongdoing by Juanito."

Bloody Elbow caught up with Samuel J. Smith, counsel for Mr. Ibarra, who stated:

"Mr. Ibarra and I appreciate Bloody Elbow's efforts to ensure that a true depiction of what has transpired is made public. We do believe that the issues with regard to the remaining defendants will be resolved in the courtroom and therefore it is inappropriate to make further comment at this time".