Dana White-run UFC sued for over $1.6 Billion for controlling MMA fighter market with ‘improper strategies’
Former MMA fighters along with their lawyers, will likely sue the UFC in a Class Action Lawsuit that could change the MMA world forever.
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Dana White led-UFC facing a Class Action Lawsuit (Image Courtesy - MMA Mania)
The issue of fighter pay has persisted in the world of MMA over the last decade. Every now and then, fighters allege improper pay and other benefits that led fighters like Francis Ngannou, Corey Anderson, and others to jump ship from the UFC. An Antitrust lawsuit filed by former MMA fighters in 2014 recently took the combat sports world by storm. They claimed that the UFC used improper strategies to dominate the market and paid less amount to the fighters.
The US Antitrust laws permit private plaintiffs to receive more than three times if they prove the damage they have suffered. One of the major goals of the Antitrust lawsuit remains to recover the money for 1200 fighters who have aligned with the lawsuit. Judge Boulware ruled that the Antitrust lawsuit had been elevated to Class Action. A report from Fannation states that the fighter and lawyers leading the lawsuit will represent the 1200 fighters and sue the UFC for damages.
The lawsuit has the potential to change the MMA landscape forever. If the lawsuit is successful, the plaintiffs could get from $800 million to $1.6 billion. Dana White has remained firm on the stance that the UFC could win the case in court. White has always debated against the notion of fighter-pay issues and exploitation of the fighters.
However, others do not think so. Jake Paul has alleged that the UFC does not pay a fair amount to its fighters. In the past, Jorge Masvidal stated that the pay scale and revenue share needs to be changed. Masvidal argued that leagues like NFL and NBA give at least half of the revenue generated to the players, whereas the UFC pays less than 15 percent. The revenue aspect of the UFC could play a major part when the lawsuit reaches court.
Related: Who was the culprit at the Stool Gate Controversy at UFC 178: Yoel Romero vs Tim Kennedy?
Combat sports lawyer makes a case for the ruthless tactics of Dana White’s UFC with Nate Diaz’s example after the Class Action lawsuit proceeding
News sites reported that Nate Diaz earned eight figures for his boxing bout against Jake Paul. Erik Magraken is a lawyer by profession and covers the combat sports world. He stated that the Class Action lawsuit against the UFC has relevance due to how the UFC operates.
He used the example of Nate Diaz to illustrate his point. He wrote, “In a profession where CTE is real, and is tied to the DOSAGE of career brain rattling, if anyone deserves to not be contractually exploited its pro fighters.” Diaz making more money for the Paul fight than all the fights of his career may be a cause for concern.
Here is where Masvidal’s point about the revenue share comes into play. Do the fighters only deserve less than 20 percent? Why cannot it be close to 25 percent? Does it mean that the UFC is exploiting fighters? Many questions will be answered when the Class Action lawsuit court proceedings happen.
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Nidhin Shibu
(2537 Articles Published)