UFC facing class-action lawsuit from Jon Fitch, Nate Quarry and Cung Le

Jon Fitch, Nate Quarry and Cung Le filed a class-action lawsuit against Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the UFC, alleging they violated antitrust laws and created an unfair marketplace.

Former UFC fighters Jon Fitch and Nate Quarry along with Cung Le, who is still under contract with the UFC, have filed a class-action antitrust lawsuit against the UFC and its parent company, Zuffa. Bloody Elbow was the first to report the news of the lawsuit’s existence.

All three fighters have served in main events in the UFC. Two fought for titles in the organization.

Among other allegations, the antitrust suit alleges UFC has violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by illegally scheming to create a non-competitive marketplace restricting the earning capabilities of fighters to a fraction of what would be available in a competitive market. The suit also alleges UFC coerces fighters to give up rights to their names and likeness in perpetuity.

Involved with this suit are Joseph Saveri Law Firm, Inc, who recently scored an antitrust suit victory against Google, Apple, Adobe and Intel. Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, PLLC, involved in a $1.2 billion antitrust case against Dow Chemical Company and $500 million case against Countrywide Financial Corporation, are part of this legal act as well as Berger & Montague, P.C.

The suit was filed in San Jose, California, which means all legal proceedings are likely to take place there.

Specifics of evidence were not disclosed during a conference call with the plaintiffs and lawyers Tuesday, but the suit draws from past statements made by UFC President Dana White as well as others UFC officials comparing the promotion and its practices to sporting leagues such as the NFL and NBA.

Aside from named plaintiffs Le, Fitch, and Quarry, “all persons who competed in one or more live professional UFC-promoted MMA bouts taking place or broadcast in the United States during the Class Period” will be able to join their names to the suit. The exception to that opportunity are foreign fighters who have solely fought in oversees events.

According to the legal representative, other fighters have shown interest in joining the suit, but no decision has been made as to whether they’ll be added.

The complaint filed against Zuffa and the UFC can be read below:

Jon Fitch, Nate Quarry and Cung Le filed a class-action lawsuit against Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the UFC, alleging they violated antitrust laws and created an unfair marketplace.

Former UFC fighters Jon Fitch and Nate Quarry along with Cung Le, who is still under contract with the UFC, have filed a class-action antitrust lawsuit against the UFC and its parent company, Zuffa. Bloody Elbow was the first to report the news of the lawsuit’s existence.

All three fighters have served in main events in the UFC. Two fought for titles in the organization.

Among other allegations, the antitrust suit alleges UFC has violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by illegally scheming to create a non-competitive marketplace restricting the earning capabilities of fighters to a fraction of what would be available in a competitive market. The suit also alleges UFC coerces fighters to give up rights to their names and likeness in perpetuity.

Involved with this suit are Joseph Saveri Law Firm, Inc, who recently scored an antitrust suit victory against Google, Apple, Adobe and Intel. Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, PLLC, involved in a $1.2 billion antitrust case against Dow Chemical Company and $500 million case against Countrywide Financial Corporation, are part of this legal act as well as Berger & Montague, P.C.

The suit was filed in San Jose, California, which means all legal proceedings are likely to take place there.

Specifics of evidence were not disclosed during a conference call with the plaintiffs and lawyers Tuesday, but the suit draws from past statements made by UFC President Dana White as well as others UFC officials comparing the promotion and its practices to sporting leagues such as the NFL and NBA.

Aside from named plaintiffs Le, Fitch, and Quarry, “all persons who competed in one or more live professional UFC-promoted MMA bouts taking place or broadcast in the United States during the Class Period” will be able to join their names to the suit. The exception to that opportunity are foreign fighters who have solely fought in oversees events.

According to the legal representative, other fighters have shown interest in joining the suit, but no decision has been made as to whether they’ll be added.

The complaint filed against Zuffa and the UFC can be read below: