Combat enthusiast and UFC commentator Joe Rogan and his Joe Rogan Experience remain as viral as ever. The veteran podcaster has only risen in stock after endorsing GOP Nominee Donald Trump on the pre-electoral eve. Given his viral popularity, there’s demands for him to touch on one particular topic – The UFC antitrust lawsuit.
UFC and its parent TKO Group Holdings is open to ponying up $375 million for the alleged settlement on anti-competitive conduct claims. However, US District Court Judge Richard Boulware previously rejected a combined $335 million settlement as not enough moral compensation. Other than violating Section 2 of the Sherman Act, it’s put forward that low-pecking order fighters would only get $3,000 in compensation.
There’s also notions that some fighters are very afraid to go up against a premier combat sports promotions like UFC. Hence, Combat Sports regulatory lawyer Erik Magraken tells Joe Rogan to give them a voice.
Hey @joerogan
If you covered this story you’d be doing a lot of fighters a real favor.
They deserve their money. None should be scared to claim it.
Would be great if you helped spread the word.Combat Sports regulatory lawyer MMA/Kickboxing Judge Author Erik Magraken via X (@erikmagraken)
Cung Le, et al. acted as plaintiffs (Case No. 2:15-cv-01045-RFB-BNW) for the said antitrust lawsuit. Le, Kajan Johnson/C.B. Dollaway later proposed a UFC Athlete-class suit with some 1,214 fighters signing on. They claimed anti-competitive practice and cutting corners that failed to produce enough fighter compensations. Magraken takes a vivd and livid authoritarian stand and urges Rogan to do so as well.
Hey @joerogan
If you covered this story you’d be doing a lot of fighters a real favor.
They deserve their money. None should be scared to claim it.
Would be great if you helped spread the word. https://t.co/VOnS4XcxeH
— Erik Magraken (@erikmagraken) November 19, 2024
Magraken was also the one bringing shade on the fact that New York State Athletic Commission has already given the green signal on the new gloves on the approved list. Yet, there’s ongoing practice otherwise. Now, he said Rose Gracie heard from fighters that are afraid to go up against UFC for more compensations or speak out against such malpractices. Could Rogan actually help? One never knows.
Avengers Assemble: Can a Pro-Trump Joe Rogan instigate change?
Joe Rogan is a neutral stance MMA micsman/podcaster, when it comes to viral issues. The MMA clique saw that in the Francis Ngannou vs. promotional CEO Dana White issue. So it’d be only natural that he’d once again want the roster to have a peaceful way out in the Zuffa vs. Le et al UFC antitrust lawsuit.
Joe Rogan, Donald Trump, and Co. can initiate big change (Source: forbes.com/YT)On the plus side, Rogan has quite the accord with the President elect Donald Trump. The 47th President has already vowed to bring change for the PGA – LIV merger. He can have a similar impact for the sport of MMA as well. Then, there is Elon Musk, who will lead the Department of Government Efficiency for the Trump administration. He is also a friend of Joe Rogan.
Those inner circle and big guns now also has ex-independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He wants him as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Other than the political entourage, Trump is earshot away from White and even celebrities like Kid Rock. He even veers walkouts to sounds of Kid Rock’s American Badass.
Rogan once called Trump and his associates as the ‘Right Wing Avengers.’ The upcoming US cabinet has promised a lot of changes for the smooth running of the country. It remains to be seen if Rogan can get them involved to sort out the problems revealed by Erik Magraken.
