The UFC Criticizes Judge for Rejecting $335M Settlement

The UFC has criticized a judge who rejected a financial settlement it had reached with former fighters. In March, the UFC’s parent company, the TKO Group agreed to a £262 million ($335 million) settlement covering two lawsuits filed by approximately 1,200 former UFC athletes. The fighters alleged that UFC contracts stifled their ability to explore other promotional opportunities.

However, despite the agreement, Judge Richard Boulware in Nevada recently refused to approve the settlement, setting a tentative trial date for October. The UFC expressed disagreement with the ruling, asserting its belief in the merits of the case and stating that it is considering all options, including an appeal.

Moreover, discussions have begun with plaintiffs’ counsel about potentially revisiting settlement negotiations for the lawsuits involving fighters Cung Le, Nate Quarry and Kajan Johnson. The lawsuits are separate, with one initiated by Le and Quarry in 2014 covering fighters from 2010 to 2017.

In contrast, the other lawsuit filed by Johnson and others, addresses issues for fighters from 2017 to the present. The UFC had previously reached a joint settlement for both cases. Accordingly, the first lawsuit is scheduled to commence on October 28.

Furthermore, plaintiffs from both lawsuits have expressed openness to either renegotiating a settlement with the UFC or proceeding to trial. Judge Boulware had previously indicated that he found the settlement amount too low, which influenced his decision to reject it.

In 2023, the UFC merged with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to form the TKO Group. Consequently, this merger and the ongoing legal disputes highlight the UFC’s complex legal landscape as it navigates significant financial and reputational challenges.