“UFC to Pay $260 Million to Fighters in Landmark Settlement After Decade-Long Antitrust Lawsuit”

A federal judge has granted preliminary approval for a significant settlement between the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and nearly 2,000 current and former mixed martial artists who have accused the organization of underpayment. After nearly ten years of legal battles, the UFC is set to pay $260 million to these fighters, with payments expected to begin in June. The settlement, which totals $375 million, was approved by Judge Richard F. Boulware and aims to resolve the antitrust lawsuit known as Le, et al v Zuffa LLC. This case covers UFC fighters from the end of 2010 to the present. Additionally, there is another ongoing case, Johnson, et al v Zuffa LLC, which represents fighters who began their careers in the UFC after July 2017. This development marks a significant milestone in the long-standing dispute between the UFC and its fighters, as the settlement seeks to address claims of unfair compensation practices within the organization.