THE FIGHT

The Joseph Saveri Law Firm, LLP serves as Co-Lead Counsel in an antitrust class action lawsuit on behalf of current and former professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters against Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

The suit alleges Zuffa LLC (which does business as UFC) illegally acquired and maintained monopoly power in the market for MMA promotions and used that power to suppress UFC fighters' compensation.

Plaintiffs are MMA fighters who allege UFC unlawfully obtained monopoly power by impairing other MMA promoters’ ability to compete in the market for MMA promotions. UFC is the largest promoter of MMA events, with some 90% of the market, and has used its dominant position to extract one-sided concessions from the fighters and prevent competition for the fighters’ services. As a result, UFC has been able to suppress fighter compensation and impose exploitative contract terms on the fighters, locking them into long-term contracts for the length of their productive careers.

“UFC’s illegal acquisition and application of monopoly power to suppress the wages of Professional MMA fighters is inexcusable,” says Joseph Saveri, Co-Lead Counsel for the plaintiffs. “Because other promoters are excluded from top arenas, TV, pay-per-view, and other national media outlets, they simply cannot compete, and are either put out of business or relegated to second-tier status as a de facto farm system.”

“UFC pays its fighters a mere fraction of what athletes make in similar sports such as boxing,” Saveri continued. “Fighters who want to establish a national reputation have no choice but to sign with UFC, but then they are left with no opportunity to profit from their success.”

CASE UPDATES

The suit, Cung Le v. Zuffa, LLC, seeks treble damages under Section 2 of the Sherman Act, as well as injunctive relief for current and former Professional MMA fighters. The case is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada. Representatives for the proposed class have announced the launch of a new case website —www.UFCclassaction.com—dedicated to informing class members and the general public about the case. A similar suit, Kajan Johnson and Clarence Dollaway v. Zuffa, LLC, was filed on June 23, 2021 in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada.

On May 8, 2020, an extensive profile of Cung Le and the case was featured in Bloomberg Businessweek. On June 2 and 3, 2020, the plight of UFC fighters was extensively covered in The Athletic. A few weeks later, Bloomberg News released a video report about the suit, including its underlying issues, business impact, and status.

On August 9th, 2023, Judge Boulware issued an order certifying the class. This is a long-awaited but welcome result, especially for our clients who have persevered throughout the long delay.

On March 13, 2024, a settlement was reached resolving all claims in both the Le and Johnson cases, in exchange for payment of $335 million and certain changes in business practices in the future. The settlement was disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by TKO Group Holdings, Inc., the parent company of the current owners of the UFC. Further details about the terms of the agreement and what they mean for the members of the class will be published here after plaintiffs file a motion asking the Court to approve the settlement.