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UFC Fighters Set to Receive Up to $1 Million in Antitrust Settlement

By  |  June 29, 2025
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A landmark legal case involving former UFC fighters has resulted in substantial compensation payouts, with hundreds of athletes set to receive between $100,000 and over $1 million following a major antitrust lawsuit settlement. Per BBC, the payments stem from a broader agreement reached last October, in which the UFC committed to paying out £281 million (approximately $335 million) to fighters who competed between 2010 and 2017.

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    The legal action alleged that the UFC, which has long been the dominant force in mixed martial arts, restricted fighters’ earning potential by limiting their ability to explore opportunities with rival promotions. According to BBC, the lawsuit suggested this practice affected approximately 1,100 athletes during the seven-year period.

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    The law firm Berger Montague, which is handling the case, announced that an overwhelming majority of eligible fighters—about 97%—have submitted claims for a portion of the settlement. Based on projections shared by the firm, 35 fighters are expected to receive payouts exceeding $1 million, while nearly 100 will collect more than $500,000. In total, over 500 fighters are set to net at least $100,000.

    Related: Phil Davis Files New Antitrust Lawsuit Against UFC Over Fighter Pay and Market Control

    This settlement, while significant, is only part of the legal battles facing the UFC. A second antitrust lawsuit, Johnson v. Zuffa, is currently underway, targeting the organization’s conduct from 2017 to the present. Former athletes involved in the ongoing case are pushing not only for financial damages but also for structural changes to UFC’s business model—particularly its restrictive contract practices.

    The combined antitrust lawsuits have sought damages totaling up to $1.6 billion, indicating the broader impact these legal challenges could have on the future of fighter compensation and contractual freedom in MMA.

    Meanwhile, the UFC continues with its annual International Fight Week in Las Vegas, headlined by a lightweight title bout between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira at the T-Mobile Arena. Topuria, previously the featherweight champion, steps up in weight to face Oliveira, while Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight title in the co-main event against Kai Kara-France.

    Source: BBC