Judge Approves $375 Million UFC Antitrust Settlement, Closing Chapter on Decade-Long Legal Battle

A Nevada federal judge has finalized the UFC’s landmark $375 million settlement in a class-action antitrust lawsuit, ending a nearly 10-year legal fight that accused the promotion of suppressing fighter pay and monopolizing the MMA market. U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware approved the deal Thursday, clearing the way for over 1,200 former UFC fighters to receive payouts from the largest settlement in combat sports history.

Breaking news – Court grants FINAL approval to $375 million antitrust settlement against UFC in Le v. Zuffa.

Johnson v. Zuffa lawsuit ongoing.

UFC lawyers state on record they want all eligible fighters to CLAIM THEIR MONEY.

So don’t be scared fighters. Get what’s yours!

— Erik Magraken (@erikmagraken) February 6, 2025

The lawsuit, first filed in 2014 by ex-fighters Cung Le, Jon Fitch, and Kyle Kingsbury, alleged the UFC used long-term contracts and coercive tactics to prevent athlete mobility, artificially depressing wages. Plaintiffs argued the promotion’s dominance—controlling 90% of the MMA market by 2016—allowed it to cap fighter earnings at roughly 20% of revenue, compared to 50% in leagues like the NFL and NBA. The UFC denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle in March 2024 rather than risk a trial that could have exposed it to $1.6 billion in damages under antitrust laws.

Settlement Breakdown and Fighter Payouts

Of the $375 million total, $335 million covers direct payments to fighters, with the remainder allocated to legal fees and administration. Individual payouts will vary based on factors like the number of bouts fought between 2010 and 2017, with veterans like Fitch potentially receiving six-figure sums. Payments are expected to begin by late 2025 after final audits.

The deal also mandates minor operational changes, including written notifications when fighter contracts expire—a tweak critics call “cosmetic” but plaintiffs frame as a first step toward transparency. Notably absent are structural reforms to UFC contracting practices, such as eliminating perpetual champion’s clauses or restricting exclusivity terms.

Mixed Reactions From Fighters

Reaction among athletes has been divided. Former lightweight contender Jacob Volkmann, a named plaintiff, called the settlement “a down payment on justice,” while others lamented the UFC avoiding admission of guilt. The payout represents approximately 22% of the $1.6 billion initially sought, a fraction critics argue pales next to the promotion’s $12 billion valuation in 2023. Still, Le emphasized the difficulty of challenging “a corporation with endless resources,” telling MMA Fighting the result “lets them know we’re watching.”

Wow … Settlement agreement in UFC antitrust Lawsuit has officially been Completed . 375 million awarded to the Fighters today . Personally I think it should be closer to the Billion but Salute to the fighters and Attorneys that fought a decade long War 👊🏼👊🏼

— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) February 6, 2025

Industry Ramifications

The settlement avoids setting a legal precedent but intensifies scrutiny on MMA’s labor practices. It follows similar antitrust cases against WWE and NCAA, though dwarfs both in scale—the UFC’s payout triples the $120 million WWE paid wrestlers in 2022. UFC President Dana White, who testified during proceedings, maintained the promotion’s practices “built this sport” and praised the resolution.

Analysts suggest the outcome could galvanize efforts to unionize fighters, a movement gaining traction since 2022. While the UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, projects no financial strain from the settlement, the case has already influenced corporate strategy. Last year’s revamped UFC Athlete Health Insurance Plan and increased minimum purses ($20,000/$20,000 in 2025) hint at preemptive reforms.

As payouts near, the settlement closes a contentious chapter but leaves broader questions unanswered. For fighters, it’s a partial victory; for the UFC, a costly reminder that its business model remains under siege. With the promotion set to host a record 45 events in 2025, the balance between growth and fair compensation continues to define MMA’s evolving landscape.