TKO Holdings Group, Inc. reached a settlement with UFC fighters in a class-action antitrust lawsuit earlier this month, bringing an end to a legal battle that has dragged on for nearly a decade. As a result, TKO will shell out $335 million and avoid going to trial.
Get all the latest details here.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement to settle all claims asserted in both the [Cung] Le and [Kajan] Johnson class action lawsuits, bringing litigation to a close and benefiting all parties,” the UFC’s statement read. “The final terms of the settlement will be submitted to the court for approval.”
The deal is expected to be finalized within 60 days.
Getting pinched for $335 million hardly seems like a victory for UFC but when compared to what fighters were initially seeking, TKO may have gotten off lightly. In addition, it is not yet known how the settlement will impact the original source of the complaint (read it here).
A majority of fighters remain underwhelmed.
Excited for my $4 check to show up https://t.co/MEbGWNqRGi
— David Michaud (@bulldawg_170) March 20, 2024
Huge victory for UFC. Not sure what the overall goal was for the fighters. Least it’s something but appears nothing will change moving forward. https://t.co/ZmDyxG4K1b
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) March 20, 2024
Do I get some ? I don’t want a regular job when I retire
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) March 20, 2024
You were right when we talked a long time ago. They will settle before it goes to trial for around $300 million. https://t.co/LVBOzUX5NH
— Gray Maynard (@GrayMaynard) March 20, 2024
And of course PFL head cheese Donn Davis couldn’t help but turn this into a pitch:
Donn Davis is asked his thoughts on the UFC antitrust lawsuit news.#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/IwmgVtspZ6
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) March 20, 2024
Expect more details on the UFC antitrust settlement in the coming weeks.