Sean Combs Settles Punching Lawsuit

Sean Combs's "his face ran into my fist" excuse won't get its day in court after all. Diddy has settled a lawsuit brought by a man who accused the musician/designer of punching him in the face during a 2007 post-Oscars party at L.A. hotspot Teddy's.

Gerard Rechnitzer claimed he was "assaulted and battered" when Diddy belted him without warning after he approached the star, who was leaving the club in the posh Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. He also accused Diddy of pushing his girlfriend and spitting on another woman. But, according to Diddy, the punch was caused by "[Rechnitzer's] forward motion against my open hand."

His open hand? Was he trying to protect a fresh manicure or something? Anyway, the terms of the settlement were not revealed ... but this might be a pricey smackdown for Diddy.

Did this guy have a real claim against Diddy, or was this just a case of throwing money at a problem to make it go away?