Author: Anton Tabuena

There’s a new major class action lawsuit against the UFC.

There has been a major development, and the UFC has been hit with another antitrust lawsuit.

Yesterday, a new complaint against the UFC was filed in Nevada court, and Bloody Elbow has since obtained a copy of these legal documents. The suit was filed on behalf of UFC veterans Kajan Johnson and CB Dollaway, and as a class action on behalf of other class member fighters against Zuffa, LLC and Endeavor Group Holdings, inc., the parent company and current owners of the UFC.

Dolloway fought 20 times for the UFC — 25, if you count TUF — from 2008 to 2018, while Johnson fought seven times with the promotion from 2014 to 2018.

Although technically a separate lawsuit for now, it is almost identical to the current Le et al v Zuffa complaint, but with the major difference being on the proposed class period. The first complaint has the class period ending on June 30, 2017, while “Plaintiffs Johnson and Dollaway bring this case on behalf of those like themselves who fought a bout promoted by the UFC from July 1, 2017 to the present.”

What does this mean, exactly?

Well, the current class period goes from December 16, 2010 to June 30, 2017, which covers a total of 1215 fighters that fought in a Zuffa event that was held or broadcast in the United States during that period. With the new complaint’s extension of the class period, a few hundred additional fighters should now be class members.

This would also increase the amount of potential damages, as the Plaintiffs are alleging that the UFC scheme has not ended. Based on the estimated damages from the previous period, adding at least another four years to the period could add another $1 billion or more to that total.

The filing probably should not have come as a surprise. It’s been theorized that the class period would be extended if the case dragged on too long. And with a four years statute of limitations for antitrust violations, a new complaint would have to be filed by July 1st to make sure there were no gaps in the class period.

What does the lawsuit allege?

This December will be the 7th anniversary of when the case was first filed by Plaintiffs Cung Le, Nate Quarry, and Jon Fitch, with Javier Vazquez, Kyle Kingsbury and Brandon Vera being added as named Plaintiff’s shortly thereafter.

The Plaintiffs accuse the UFC of engaging in anti-completive Scheme that has given them a monopoly and a monopsony over MMA. The Scheme involved acquiring and foreclosing potential rivals, and using long-term exclusive contracts that both locked fighters into the UFC and denied them to potential competitors. Because of these actions, the Plaintiffs allege the UFC was able to pay much lower than what fighters would have made on a competitive market.

According to evidence presented by the Plaintiffs, UFC fighters share of revenue is only 20% where in other sports leagues like the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA players typical receive around 50% of the leagues revenues. And in boxing, another combat sport, the share is even higher with numbers from 60-70% commonly cited.

This new lawsuit also states that the UFC “now controls approximately 90% of the revenues derived from live Professional MMA bouts” not just in north America, but globally.

The lawsuit has been summed up in the video below:

What’s next?

Judge Boulware has already previously announced that he is granting class certification, which would make it a class action where the Plaintiff’s represent all the other class members, but has yet to issue a written opinion. Until that written opinion comes out, the case is at a stand still. The UFC has already indicated that they plan to appeal class certification. If the appeal is taken up by a higher court, it may be years before we know if the case will go to trial or not as a class action.

The Plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages as compensation and injunctive relief, which would bar the UFC from engaging in what the Plaintiff’s argue is anticompetitive behavior. Under the Sherman Act, any damages awarded by the court would be trebled, meaning tripled, so the already large numbers being asked for could potentially end up being much larger.

What can happen sooner?

While the lawsuit could drag on for years, there can still be quicker developments that lead to something valuable for athletes and many others involved in the sport: information.

Following the original complaint, the UFC was ordered to provide documents, communications, contracts, financials, and other information to the Plaintiffs as part of discovery — some of which have since been unsealed for the public. From fighter pay, to negotiation strategies, to the UFC’s finances, this current lawsuit has brought to light a lot of important information and inner-workings about the sport that would’ve otherwise been kept hidden away from the public.

With the class period being extended, it’s likely the court will order the UFC to provide all relevant materials covered during the new class period. Some of these documents may also eventually become unsealed, meaning much newer information on the UFC and Endeavor’s recent events and business dealings could come to light as well.

Khamzat Chimaev has been talking a big game, and Luke Rockhold has put him on blast.

Khamzat Chimaev is said to be planning a return soon, but if Luke Rockhold is to be believed, the heavily hyped prospect has no interest in having him as his next opponent.

The former UFC middleweight champion told Ariel Helwani that he was offered to face Chimaev twice, a main event on August 28 and a three-round affair for UFC 265. Rockhold claims that Chimaev turned down both offers, and that he would stay at 170 lbs instead.

“All respect but I thought he would fight anyone,” Rockhold said about Chimaev.

Chimaev has constantly talked big about his willingness to beat anyone at any weight, from middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, even all the way up to light heavyweight against the champion Jan Blachowicz. After all that smack talk, declining this high profile bout is certainly not a good look, but his decision is logical.

Not only is Rockhold a tough match up being a massive middleweight and a high level grappler, it’s also time to taper expectations for Chimaev anyway.

Chimaev was heavily hyped and pushed by the UFC after getting three wins in two months. The 9-0 Chechen seems like an A+ prospect, but we actually still know very little about him, and he hasn’t faced the best opposition yet. Two of his three opponents have been released after going a combined 1-7 in the UFC, while his best win is over Gerald Meerschaert, a quality vet, but has also lost five of his last eight.

There’s also his concerning battle with COVID-19, which had longterm effects on his body that was serious enough to make him prematurely announce a retirement. The undefeated prospect is already largely untested, and there is also even more uncertainties after a year out due to serious health issues.

Declining a big name is not good for optics as it’s completely opposite from Chimaev’s brand and image, but staying at welterweight with a moderate step up in competition is probably the smarter career move at this point.

Two Filipino world champions will be squaring off for the first time.

Soon after Nonito Donaire’s historic win that made him bantamweight world champion again, “The Filipino Flash” was quickly booked and set for a quick turnaround on August 14. His next bout will be a title unification against fellow Filipino champ John Riel Casimero.

The Philippines has had a long and storied history of boxing greats, but this will somehow be the very first time two Filipino world champions will go up against each other.

Donaire and Casimero acknowledged the awkward nature of fighting a countryman to unify titles, but ultimately, both fighters feel like this is actually a good thing.

“I’m just really, really, really focused on it right now. You know, I’m in tremendous shape still so I’m just excited,” Donaire told Fight Hype about the match up. “Regardless if it’s Filipino-Filipino, it’s a good thing because now you have people who are at the top of the top and they’re fighting each other now, because we got more world champions. And regardless of what it is, the champion is going to be a Filipino.

“It’s a blessing and people can be really proud that they’re seeing us (Filipinos) at the very very top.”

Casimero also apologized to Filipino fight fans, but explained how this just happens when you have two champions at the top with the same goals.

“I can already smell my destiny coming. I’ve reached the best, the goal that I’ve been trying to achieve for a long time. We all wanted to be the best, and it happened that now two Filipinos will be fighting. Sorry if that’s not the best scenario, but it’s only three of us at the top as champions now,” Casimero said in Filipino and translated by Bloody Elbow. “(This affects) pound-for-pound too. This bout is for history, guys. This will be a great fight.

“Filipinos should be happy, because no one can take this honor from us, and whoever wins will still be the one carrying our flag. It’s only Filipino vs Filipino because there’s only a few champions reigning at the top, and it’s the first time. Please support our decision, because we both just want to be the undisputed best in the world.”

As for the matchup itself, the 38-year-old Donaire says Casimero has power, but thinks he’s “flat-footed” and this could end up being easier than his last title win.

“Anybody who has power is a tough guy. Oubaali was very technical. For me, I believe that any fighter can be difficult if you don’t practice enough or if you don’t train enough and if you don’t strategize enough. So I think with the best strategy it can be an easier fight.

“If I was knocking guys out at 126, walking in at this weight, I know I can knock anybody at 118,” Donaire said. “They don’t call me Flash for nothing. As you saw in my last fight, I had a lot of speed, and Oubaali is a fast guy as well. Casimero is known for his power, and he’s very flat-footed, so if he tries to use speed, that’s a big mistake.”

Nicole Sarmiento

Casimero admits to have looked up to Donaire through the years, but shared a story from several years ago that left a sour taste in his mouth. Getting the first chance to travel and train in the US while he was younger, Casimero says he tried to approach Donaire in the gym during the height of his popularity, but felt snubbed and dismissed.

Now a three-division champion and coming off six straight knockouts, the 31-year-old Casimero says he’ll get a chance to “teach him a lesson” for not even speaking to him.

“I was already a champion then. Donaire’s dad coached me before,” Casimero shared. “His dad knows this. We asked if we can spar with Nonito, but he declined and said he won’t be able to gain anything from me. So shoutout to you, Donaire. You’ll get some.

“I respect Donaire, but when the fight comes, it’ll be a real slugfest. We all know Donaire is good, but I’m in my prime and it is my time now,” Casimero declared.

While the Filipino vs Filipino title unification bout will be a milestone for boxing in the country, both say they have bigger goals after. They each want to face the biggest star in the division in Naoya Inoue next.

“Ultimately my goal is getting that belt and then fighting Inoue for the rematch and be undisputed. That’s the main goal, that’s the goal for me, really,” Donaire said. “I’m going to collect all the belts.”

Casimero also jokes that he’ll actually help Donaire get that loss to Inoue back, but just not the way he thinks.

“I’ll actually help Donaire… by beating Inoue myself. I’ll avenge him myself,” Casimero said with a laugh.

Watch video from the boxing match between UFC legend Anderson Silva and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Several MMA stars are looking to boxing for big paydays, and Anderson Silva is one of them. Saturday night in Mexico, the UFC legend took on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, who missed weight for their contest.

Silva, now 46-years-old, only had one win in his last nine UFC fights. He also faced a much younger and significantly more experienced former champion boxer. Saturday though, was completely different. Silva actually impressed and slowly broke down Chavez, who seemed to tire out and possibly break mentally as the fight wore on. Silva landed shots, and even flashed some of his trademark showboating too.

Watch highlights from the boxing match, and check out a snippet from our play-by-play of our contest below:

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr vs. Anderson Silva – Round 8 (Final Round)

Chavez should have some sort of urgency here. Good jabbing from Silva. Uppercut on the inside by The Spider. Body shot again by Chavez. And another one. Chavez complaining about something. I don’t know what happened. Oh actually they’re looking at the cut on Chavez but they’ll continue now. Triple body shot by Chavez Jr. Uppercut and a jab by Silva. Chavez finally letting his hands go and frankly he’s winning this round. But he lost the fight, surely! Anything else is a robbery. 77-75 Silva.

Official result: 77-75, 75-77, 77-75 for your winner by split decision…Anderson Silva!

Rashad Evans is now 41-years-old.

Rashad Evans is coming out of retirement.

Now 41-years-old, the former UFC light heavyweight champion looks to return not in MMA, but to be part of that growing trend of UFC stars switching over to boxing. Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort and Tyron Woodley are all set for their boxing matches, and it looks like Evans plans to join his fellow former UFC champions in trying to net a better payday in another sport.

According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Evans is targeting bouts against YouTuber Logan Paul, or retired boxing great Roy Jones Jr.

Evans, who was inducted to the UFC Hall-of-Fame in 2019, started his UFC career by winning The Ultimate Fighter’s second season in 2005, and eventually won the light heavyweight title back in 2008.

He certainly has a nice resume, but Evans’ MMA career ended with seven losses in his last nine fights, including five straight defeats before he retired. He last competed in 2018, where he was knocked out by Anthony Smith.

Evans’ last win was all the way back in 2013, when he TKO’d Chael Sonnen.

Cesar Gracie also wants a Conor McGregor trilogy next.

Despite losing to Leon Edwards in his return, Nate Diaz’s stock is still as high as can be and his near-comeback was the talk of UFC 263. The Stockton-native revealed that he wanted a quick turn around after the loss, but it looks like his team has no interest in accepting a recent callout from a fellow veteran in Demian Maia.

“I know there has been speculation on whether Nate will accept the fight with Demian Maia. Although I have not yet talked to Nate about his thoughts on this fight, I can tell you that I am completely against the idea,” Diaz’s long time coach Cesar Gracie told MMA Fighting. “Demian has been a great representative of Brazilian jiu-jitsu on the mat and in MMA. He has accomplished much and we all respect him. He is still a dangerous opponent but I don’t feel Nate has anything to gain from this fight.

“If he were to lose, he would be losing to a 44-year-old that is on his way out of the sport, and if he won it would be to a 44-year-old man that is leaving the sport,” he said. “It is a no-win situation.”

Maia will turn 44 this November, and has lost his last two bouts. Gracie explained he was “surprised” about Maia’s call out, as they’ve already reached out to him in an effort to try and get the BJJ legend to train with Nick Diaz for his return.

The jiujitsu coach says that instead of a “no-win situation” with Maia, he’d like to see a third bout against Conor McGregor.

“I would think the trilogy versus [Conor] McGregor,” he said. “I know that Nate wants tough fights. He is motivated by fighting the best guys.”

McGregor is set for a different trilogy, as he’s currently booked to face Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. With the winner likely getting a title shot vs new lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, a third bout with Diaz happening next only seems possible if McGregor loses to Poirier.

As for Maia, although he’s interested in a retirement bout against Diaz, he actually just completed his contract and Dana White has gone on record to say that his UFC days are “probably” over.