Joe Francis defends himself against Brody Jenner claims

By April MacIntyre Aug 29, 2009, 13:19 GMT

07/28/2009 - Joe Francis - Celebrities Departing From Madeo Restaurant in West Hollywood on July 28, 2009 - Madeo Restaurant - West Hollywood, CA, USA © IAKONA / PR Photos

"The Hills" star Brody Jenner was involved in a scuffle at the Guys and Dolls nightclub in West Hollywood, California, late Thursday, with "Girls Gone Wild" creator Joe Francis.

Initial reports claimed that the men fought over Jayde Nicole - who was with Brody Jenner - and that Francis had assaulted the Canadian ex Playboy model in the club. 

The two men were subsequently ejected from the nightclub. After more fighting outside, Jenner was tasered into submission.

Francis went on record with TMZ.com and MTV News saying that the club's security footage backs his claim that he in no way assaulted Jayde Nicole, but shows Jenner did strike him.

"This was an unprovoked attack," Francis tells MTV. "The security-camera footage pretty much confirms my account of the events entirely. ... I was talking with a friend of mine. I got punched in the back and then all of a sudden, [Jayde] poured a drink, and then a glass hits me in the head. I turned around. I reached over. I see it's a girl, the head of the girl. I wanted to turn her head around. I grabbed her hair, and the next thing I know, my shirt's being ripped. I'm punched in the face. I go into the submissive ball until the whole thing gets settled down."

According to Joe, he remained outside the venue with club manager Chris Kasteler. "Here's what I remember: I remember having a cigarette with Chris, and the next thing, I was on the ground, so I don't remember the punch, but [Brody] punched me," Francis said. "By the time I came to, I was being helped up and [club security] were chasing Brody around the parking lot. And they tased him to bring him down to the ground ... and then three guys jump on him, and then I sped away. It's all captured on video."

Lawsuits may be filed, according to Francis, "I have some injuries. I'm considering all options right now. My jaw is swollen. I have cuts and bruises all over my body. I'm pretty angry."

According to Francis, this is the second assault by Jenner on his person. Back in March he was attacked by Kim Kardashian's step-brother. "I mean, this is ridiculous," he said. "This is the second time this guy has attacked me. He attacked me once before in a nightclub. It was in March of this year."

In his interview, Francis alleges that the constant attacks by Jenner are desperate ploys for publicity.

"This kid runs around Hollywood. His whole thing is to try and be famous," Francis said. "I would never hit a girl in my life, and the footage proves that. Brody is saying everything he can, 'cause he knows ... legally he is dead. It's on camera. He's trying to ... cloud the whole perception of this thing so that when his arrest comes, he's trying to destroy the facts of the story. Brody knows he's guilty."