A major turning point has been achieved in the UFC antitrust suit, as over 97% of UFC fighters signed on to the $375 million settlement. The suit, initially filed in 2014 by fighters such as Cung Le and Nate Quarry, aimed to address alleged monopolistic conduct by the UFC that affected athletes who fought between 2010 and 2017.
Authorized by Judge Richard Boulware of the U.S. District Court for Nevada in February, this agreement is one of the biggest and most comprehensive class actions in the history of combat sports.
High Participation, Historic Claims Rate
In a statement from the law firm representing the fighters, Berger Montague, approximately 1100 timely claims were submitted by class members, covering more than 99% of overall UFC fighter compensation within the period covered.
Lead counsel Eric Cramer said:
“Those claim rates are unprecedented in class action litigation, even under the most favorable circumstances. It is especially gratifying after a ten-year fight for economic justice for the warriors.”
The worldwide extent of involvement also shines, as fighters came from nations such as the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Japan, Russia, Latin America, and elsewhere.
UFC Payout Breakdown: What Fighters Will Receive
Whereas individual payouts will differ, the typical UFC payout to each fighter is around $250,000, said Berger Montague.
Estimated payout levels are:
35 fighters will earn more than $1 million
Almost 100 fighters will earn more than $500,000
Over 200 fighters will earn more than $250,000
More than 500 fighters will earn more than $100,000
These figures are a major victory for UFC fighters who sought equitable pay and disclosure.
Payouts to Get Underway Soon as Lawsuit Approaches Completion
The payout is to start soon, bringing UFC fighters at last their share of the financial gain and hard-earned legal victory. This UFC payment settlement brings a close to one antitrust case, but not the final one.
Another Antitrust Lawsuit Looms
Although this settlement settles cases for fighters active during 2010–2017, a follow-up UFC antitrust lawsuit, led by Kajan Johnson and others, addresses UFC business practices from 2017 to the current date. This case seeks monetary damages as well as injunctive relief to change the UFC’s business model in the future, if granted.
Key Takeaways:
More than 97% of fighters were involved in the $375 million UFC antitrust settlement.
The median award is approximately $250,000, with upper-tier winners taking over $1 million.
This is a historic class action involving virtually all fighters.
A new antitrust case is underway, challenging UFC’s methods after 2017.
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