Judge Richard Boulware has finally approved the proposed $375 million settlement agreement in an antitrust lawsuit against the UFC.
The lawsuit was filed in 2014, and it argues that UFC is engaged in a scheme to acquire and maintain monopsony power in the market of elite professional MMA fighter services. The lawsuit also claims that the promotion has used different elements to keep their fighters under their boot. The lawsuit was filed by Cung Le and Nate Quarry and was joined by other fighters. The lawsuit covered fighters from 2010 to 2017, but another suit has been filed which will cover fighters from 2017 to the present day.
The two parties had already agreed on an earlier settlement of $335 million, but this was denied by the Judge, who said the pay was too low. A new payment was set at $375 million, which is pleasing to both parties. The UFC promotion has revealed that they are open to talks with fighters who believe they haven’t been paid their fair dues. UFC officials are content with this decision and released a statement shortly after the official approval of this new settlement.
“Today’s decision is welcome news for both parties,” UFC officials said this past October. “We are pleased to be another step closer to bringing the Le case to a close.”
The fighter’s lawyers were also happy with this settlement and have come out to voice their pleasure; however, Johnson’s case–one of the fighters in the initial lawsuit– is still on trial.
“I’m proud to have represented Cung (Le), Kyle (Kingsbury), Nate (Quarry), Javier (Vazquez), Jon (Fitch), Brandon (Vera) and all of the MMA fighters in the Le v Zuffa class,” Eric Cramer, the attorney for the fighters, wrote Thursday on X following the approval. “We achieved some measure of justice. And now we continue the battle in the Johnson case.”
“We have reached a revised agreement with Plaintiffs to settle the Le case with terms that we believe address Judge Boulware’s stated concerns,” the promotion said in a written statement. “While we believe the original settlement was fair — a sentiment that was also shared by Plaintiffs — we feel it is in the best interest of all parties to bring this litigation to a close.”
The second antitrust lawsuit is winding its way through the courts, with ongoing proceedings as the two parties draw nearer to a potential trial. It’s possible that a separate settlement agreement could be reached, but for now, both the fighters and the UFC are continuing to prepare for a possible trial in the future.
