UFC’s Appeal Gets Denied In Latest Anti-Trust Lawsuit As Dana White’s Team Handed Rejection To Reopen Discovery By Judge Boulware

The UFC could be in serious trouble. Dana White and the UFC have long been accused of having exploitative contracts, underpaying fighters, and engaging in monopolistic practices. It has bought five of its largest competitors, including the fan-favorite PRIDE FC, and ran them to the ground.

A 2014 antitrust lawsuit filed against the world’s largest MMA promotion could see it pay out around a multi-billion-dollar settlement after the court granted it a class certification earlier this year. And it seems likely the promotion will go to trial next year if it does not settle with the claimants.

All about the Antitrust Lawsuit against Dana White-led UFC

The UFC antitrust lawsuit is a lawsuit filed by a group of current and former fighters. Former UFC fighters Cung Le, Nathan Quarry, Jon Fitch, Brandon Vera, Luis Javier Vazquez, and Kyle Kingsbury are representing it. They claim that the UFC has violated antitrust laws by monopolizing the market for MMA fighter services and suppressing their wages.

It is a class action lawsuit and seeks to represent over a thousand fighters who have competed in the UFC from December 16, 2010, to the present. They contend that these actions have diminished the caliber and variety of MMA events. It also hindered athletes from negotiating for improved compensation and working conditions.

In order to make up the difference between what they were paid by the UFC and what they would have received in a market where there was competition, the plaintiffs are seeking damages from the UFC. The Dana White-led promotion has been trying to drag the lawsuit through the judiciary and has been accused of using stalling tactics to delay it.

However, according to a report by ‘Bloody Elbow’, the judge has indicated a trial date for April next year. The UFC lost its appeal against granting the lawsuit class certification. The UFC would seriously need to consider a settlement with the plaintiffs. Else it risks potential changes that may fundamentally change the way it does business. Otherwise, it will go to trial right around the UFC 300 mega-card in April.

UFC 300 set for April 2024

The UFC always puts on massive cards in its century cards. UFC 100 saw Brock Lesnar take on Frank Mir. The rest of the June 2009 card featured GSP, Michael Bisping, and Dan Henderson. UFC 200 saw the return of Brock Lesnar and featured Daniel Cormier, Anderson Silva, and Cain Velasquez, headlined by a bantamweight title bout between Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes.

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UFC 300, too, is expected to see some stellar match-ups. While there have been no official announcements by the UFC, Conor McGregor is expected to return to the Octagon after three years on the April card. Who do you think should fight at UFC 300? Let us know in the comments section below.

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