UFC Antitrust Lawsuit Returns to Court in 2025

The UFC is set for a trial on February 3, 2025, over antitrust allegations after U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware rejected a proposed $335 million settlement intended for approximately 1,200 former fighters. The lawsuits, initiated by fighters such as Cung Le and Nate Quarry, claim that UFC's practices suppressed wages and limited fighters' ability to negotiate contracts with other promotions. Judge Boulware criticized the settlement amount as too low and expressed concerns that fighters in the current lawsuit could challenge arbitration clauses in their contracts. The case, which has been ongoing since 2014, could have significant implications for how fighter contracts are structured in the future. UFC's parent company, TKO Group, formed from its merger with WWE in 2023, had sought to resolve the matter without going to trial but now faces increased scrutiny.