MMA: Judge approves UFC £281m payment to former fighters

A judge has granted preliminary approval to the UFC’s £281 million settlement in one of two lawsuits in the United States involving hundreds of former fighters.

The group of former fighters alleged that the UFC’s contracts suppressed athletes’ ability to negotiate other promotional opportunities.

TKO Group, owner of the UFC and WWE, has had one settlement rejected, but the latest deal struck in September was approved by judge Richard Boulware.

The lawsuit was filed in 2014 by Cung Le and involved fighters who competed in the UFC from 2010 to 2017.

The UFC described the decision as “welcome news for both parties”, while Eric Cramer, lead attorney for the plaintiffs – the fighters – said they were “extremely pleased”.

“It is a monumental achievement that will bring significant relief to hundreds of deserving MMA fighters,” Cramer said in a statement to MMA Fighting., external

“We honor our courageous representative plaintiffs who fought for this outcome for a decade, and we look forward to pursuing significant business change and greater damages in our second antitrust case against the UFC.”

A second case, Johnson v Zuffa, remains before the courts. That lawsuit affects fighters to this day and seeks permanent changes to UFC contracts and business practices.

The antitrust lawsuits sought damages of up to $1.6 billion.

The UFC merged with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2023 to form the TKO Group.