The battle between UFC fighters and the promotion has finally reached its final moment. After ten grueling years of legal wrestling, a landmark $375 million settlement has been approved. The story began in 2014 when a group of fighters, including veterans Cung Le and Nate Quarry, decided to take on the MMA giant in a different kind of fight – one that required suits instead of gloves.
Judge Richard Boulware’s approval of the settlement marks a historic victory for fighters who claimed that Dana White’s UFC had created a monopoly-like grip on elite MMA talent. The initial complaint painted a picture of a promotion using exclusive contracts, strategic acquisitions, and what some might call strong-arm tactics to maintain its dominance.
The settlement’s financial breakdown reads like a championship purse distribution but with far more beneficiaries. After legal fees, the average fighter stands to receive around $250,000, with some looking at payouts exceeding $1 million. More than 500 fighters will pocket over $100,000.
The human side of this story emerges in the 150-plus statements submitted to the court, where former champions and preliminary card fighters alike detailed their physical ailments and financial struggles.
A second lawsuit for the post-2017 period still looms on the horizon, suggesting this might just be round one of a longer fight. The UFC expressed satisfaction at moving closer to closing this chapter. For many fighters who’ve been waiting on the sidelines of this legal battle, the end of this decade-long saga feels less like a victory and more like sweet relief.
What Is The UFC Antitrust Lawsuit?
Money talks, and in the UFC, it spoke volumes through a groundbreaking antitrust lawsuit. From humble beginnings, where Senator John McCain dubbed it “human cockfighting,” to becoming a global sports phenomenon, the UFC’s journey hasn’t been without its fair share of controversy.
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At the core of this $1.6 billion legal slugfest stood a group of roughly 1,200 fighters who’ve traded their fighting gloves for legal briefs. These athletes claimed that the UFC had been playing a monopoly on their careers. While other major sports organizations share about 50% of revenue with their athletes, UFC fighters claimed they were scraping by with around 20%.
The fighters’ legal team had painted a picture of the UFC as the ultimate gatekeeper. They alleged that the UFC was using restrictive contracts, including non-compete clauses and non-poach agreements. This kept fighters contained within their system. Meanwhile, the UFC has defended its corner. They argued that its investments transformed a once-controversial sport into a mainstream entertainment powerhouse.
Also Read: UFC’s $335M Offer Knocked Out As Judge Sides With Fighters In Antitrust Lawsuit
