Rapper Diddy settles over 'punch'

Combs blamed the alleged punch on his accuser's "forward motion"

Rap star Sean "Diddy" Combs has settled a legal action brought by a man who said he had been punched in the face by the US musician.

Gerard Rechnitzer sought damages after claiming he had been "assaulted and battered" by the rapper outside a Hollywood nightclub in February 2007.

In a court declaration, the rapper said Mr Rechnitzer had lunged toward him.

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed in court papers, posted on the TMZ celebrity website.

Mr Rechnitzer claimed he was attacked after approaching Combs at Teddy's nightclub inside the Roosevelt Hotel.

The US rapper had been attending a post-Oscars party at the Los Angeles nightspot.

The 28-year-old also accused the rapper of pushing his girlfriend and spitting on another woman.

The rap star had said "any contact" with Mr Rechnitzer "was caused by his forward motion against my open hand".