Judge denies $335M UFC antitrust settlement

U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware denied a preliminary approval for settlement in the UFC antitrust lawsuit Tuesday, an agreement that would have seen the UFC pay out $335 million to current and former athletes.

Boulware denied the settlement conditions late Tuesday, in a decision he is expected to elaborate on at a later date. The lawsuit, which was first filed in 2014, will now move forward with a status conference in August, and a tentative trial date — which is almost certain to be pushed back — of Oct. 28 in the District of Nevada.

The judge had tipped his hand to this decision previously in court, stating he felt the settlement amount of $335 million seemed low. If the UFC were to lose the suit at trial, the company could face damages in the multibillions. Conversely, of course, the athletes could receive nothing if they were to lose at trial. At the time a settlement was reached by the two parties in March, attorneys for both sides said they were pleased with the resolution.

The crux of the lawsuit alleges that the UFC has gained an unfair advantage in the mixed martial arts industry through years of anti-competitive tactics, and that the advantage has resulted in suppressed fighter wages. The UFC has defended itself by stating it has invested in the sport overall, as well as pointing out numerous other promotions over the past three decades as evidence of an equal playing field.