In a forecasted—but nonetheless stunning—development, U. S. District Judge Richard Boulware denied motions by UFC and fighters for preliminary approval in their$ 335 million settlement.
Boulware gave no information or reason when he placed the order late on Tuesday night. The judge set a standing event for Aug. 19 and a test meeting for Le v. Zuffa for Oct. 28.
A test will not always take place on that day, or even at all, according to the test time. In the upcoming days or weeks, UFC and the soldiers ‘ counsel could work out a new settlement initial approval. As Boulware reviews the novel settlement and, at the very least, delays the test date, that growth would remain in the case.
The main argument in the case is that UFC allegedly used anti-competitive tactics to stifle fighters ‘ compensation, but the organization also has a number of threats that, if they are unsuccessful, may appeal to appellate judges more. The danger that fighters will not receive anything from this class action arrangement is true, to put it bluntly.

A preliminary approval or rejection of a class action agreement for competitive is unusually uncommon ( as opposed to the final approval step ). The prosecutor has already rejected the lawsuit proposal before the course members had a chance to voice their opinions at a fairness hearing or opt out. The development serves as a reminder to those following the House, Carter, and Hubbard claims ‘ antitrust lawsuit that entering a negotiation with a judge does not automatically mean that it will be accepted or rejected in its current form.
As Sportico comprehensive, Boulware has voiced concerns to UFC settling two course action lawsuits, Cung Le et cetera. v. Zuffa and Kajan Johnson et cetera. v. Zuffa—the two instances cover about 2, 000 UFC soldiers. Le involves soldiers who were in one or more UFC episodes that took position, or were broadcast, in the U. S. from Dec. 16, 2010, to June 30, 2017. Before the functions reached a settlement in March, Le was scheduled to go on test in April. He is currently scheduled to go on trial in October. Johnson was brought in 2021 and represents those who fought in UFC periods from July 1, 2017, to the present. Johnson is in the early stages of the legal process, and he wo n’t go to trial for many years ( if ever ).
In response to complaints made by Boulware over the past few decades, the UFC and the fighters ‘ attorneys have changed settlement terms. Bulwark believes that Johnson’s opponents, who are frequently subject to mediation and class action waiver provisions, might want to file a separate legal challenge to those provisions. According to Boulton,$ 335 million seems too low given that, as antitrust law dictates, UFC could have to pay more than$ 3 billion if damages were tripled if UFC lost Le ( and lost appeals ).
The benefit of Boulware’s rejection of the settlement is for the soldiers because it would prevent them from receiving significant payments in the near future and increases the likelihood that they ( and their families ) will have nothing from these scenarios.

Fighters in Le would receive, on average,$ 200, 000, with a median recovery of$ 73, 000 and a minimum of$ 13, 000. About 500 fighters were set to receive more than$ 100, 000 and 36 would have taken home more than$ 1 million.
If the dispute does n’t settle, it could be in court for decades, given that the losing edge would likely fuel charm options. The soldiers ‘ authorized representatives have acknowledged that panders may not be able to be contested.
Do n’t be surprised if UFC and attorneys for Le strike a separate deal, with Johnson remaining on the docket. Separating the two circumstances would seem to conform with Boulware’s wishes. About 90 % of the projected damage from the two circumstances are in Le, with Johnson regarded, perhaps by soldiers ‘ counsel, as a frail case. That does n’t mean a revised settlement figure would be 90 % of$ 335 million ($ 301.5 million ) for Le alone, as UFC likely paid a premium to settle both cases at once. But a settlement figure in the ballpark of$ 280 million to$ 300 million seems possible.
In a statement late on Wednesday, UFC stated that it disagreed with Boulware’s decision and that it had “engaged in individual settlement discussions with defendants ‘ lawyers who have expressed willingness to do so in the Le and Johnson instances.”
The struggle goes on.
( This story has been updated with UFC’s statement. )