A 10-year legal battle appears to finally be over, as a judge approved a $375 million settlement between the UFC and its former athletes in the Le v. Zuffa lawsuit on Tuesday.
The lawsuit in question was an antitrust case where the UFC was accused of using its position as MMA’s top promotion to suppress fighter wages between 2010 and 2017. Had the UFC not settled, it would have faced a court date on Feb. 3, with a potential liability ranging in the billions.
The two sides had previously agreed to a $335 million settlement in March, only for Judge Richard Franklin Boulware II to reject it in July for essentially being too favorable to the UFC. The new $375 million settlement was submitted to Judge Boulware in September, with the stated belief that it addressed his concerns.
The UFC released a brief statement Tuesday acknowledging the news:
“Today’s decision is welcome news for both parties. We are pleased to be another step closer to bringing the Le case to a close.”
With Boulware’s stamp of approval, payment is finally coming for the fighters listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Former UFC athlete Tom Lawlor estimated approximately 1,200 fighters would be receiving the money, which will be minus $115 million in fees. The lowered total of $260 million still works out to an average of about $217,000 per fighter, however payments will vary between athletes.
“Historic day for the UFC, historic day for the fighters,” Lawlor said. “After 10 years, it seems like it’s over.”
While the fight is over for the fighters, the UFC and its parent company of TKO Group Holdings still have another bout on their hands in the form of a similar lawsuit led by former UFC fighter Kajan Johnson. That suit covers fighters who competed from 2017 onward, with no trial date yet set. The UFC said in its initial announcement of the settlement that it has filed a motion to dismiss the complaint.
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