UFC’s billion-dollar anti-trust lawsuit had no clear winner for a long while. Ex-UFC stars Cung Le, Nathan Quarry, Jon Fitch, and a renowned few acted as plaintiffs (Case No. 2:15-cv-01045-RFB-BNW). Le, Kajan Johnson/C.B. Dollaway later proposed a class action antitrust with 1,214 fighters piling on, claiming anti-competitive conduct by Dana White and Co. The saving grace came when TKO Group Holdings worked out a $335 million settlement deal that most of the plaintiffs seemed happy about.
However, to White’s dismay, Judge Richard Boulware of the United States District Court of Nevada denied the $335 million settlement agreement on Wednesday. UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings Inc., would have assorted that amount to the group of former fighters. Finally, it could have put the anti-trust lawsuit to bed. Dana White had his own thoughts on the matter.
This is not something that I focus on. I let lawyers deal with that stuff. But let me say this – it’s probably the only thing I’ve said since this whole thing’s been going on: It’s getting to a point now where this feels personal…You know, I went to high school with [him]…Me and Lorenzo went to high school with him.
Dana White to Kevin Iole (@KevinI) for keviniole.com; H/T: SBNation Network
The original lawsuit, which incurred billions in damages, had no clear winner. Many pundits and athletes aptly deduced that litigators mediating the deals were the only ones enjoying optimal payouts. Ruling out the $335 million settlement seems like a personal vendetta for White. The 55-year head honcho notes that he and former Zuffa owner Lorenzo Fertitta went to high school with Boulware.
I don’t know what the hell me or Lorenzo did to him in high school, but this seems very, very personal…I don’t think [bullied him]. I don’t think I did anything to this guy…But there’s no doubt in my mind this feels absolutely personal.
Dana White further said to Kevin Iole (@KevinI)
The settlement originally was agreed to in June, but it can now be extended. The UFC subsequently issued a statement disagreeing with the judge’s decision. It extends the back to trial – though Boulware could later approve a new Anti-trust lawsuit agreement. A tentative trial date is now October 28th, two days after UFC 308 from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 26.
Despite lawsuit troubles, Dana White and Co. announce stacked Abu Dhabi card
One of the lawsuits, spearheaded by Cung Le, began nearly ten years ago. Five separate class-action lawsuits were filed between December 2014 and March 2015 and eventually consolidated into one, with a second separate lawsuit filed in 2021. While there’s no end to it, it does not mean the grind stops as UFC 308 has big names and huge matchups.
Dana White announces stacked UFC 308 card despite lawsuit troubles (Source: X/es.agfight.com/pinterest)An Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway featherweight title fight headlines UFC 308. After much anticipation and click-baiting, Alicante-Georgian Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) gets his maiden defense. While he wished for the gimmicky 155-pound BMF belt to add to it, it seems out of the equation. BMF titleholder Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC) returned to 155 pounds after five years during April’s milestone UFC 300 PPV event.
Topuria, No. 1 in the latest global 145 rankings, captured gold over longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. ‘Blessed’, No. 3, lost gold to Volkanovski in 2019 and is 3-0 ever since. He gets tremendous opportunities to get a double dip with the 145-pound belt.
Dana White just announced the following fights for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on October 26:
Main event: Topuria vs. Holloway
Co-main: Whittaker vs. Chimaev (5 rounds)Gane vs. Volkov
Ankalaev vs. RakicIncredible card!
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 3, 2024
Alongside, after their first failed booking for UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov, Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker are to now face each other in a five-round affair. Though marred by a tenuous lawsuit trial afterward, the latest lineup and another foray into the Kingdom might see Dana White and Co. at the forefront of massive non-domestic success.
