‘Do I get some?’: MMA community reacts to $335 million settlement in UFC antitrust lawsuits

March 20, 2024 1:20 pm ET

A massive breakthrough in the decade-long UFC antitrust lawsuits occurred Wednesday when it was announced a settlement had been reached between the two sides for a $335 million sum.

The details of the settlement will be revealed after filings are complete in 45-60 days, but that didn’t stop many people from weighing in on the significant development.

Check out the top reactions to the nine-figure settlement in the UFC antitrust lawsuits below.

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John Nash

This is big. Le v Zuffa (UFC antitrust case) apparently put on hold. If I had to guess I would assume it has to do with a settlement. pic.twitter.com/yRJlorQV9r

— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) March 20, 2024

John Nash

Settlement reached for both Le v Zuffa & Johnson v Zuffa (likely almost zero damaages for Johnson because most signed class action waivers) Amount $335m. pic.twitter.com/CknnFrcdJJ

— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) March 20, 2024

Jed Meshew II

I always thought a settlement was likely but I’m surprised the plaintiffs agreed to this amount. This doesn’t even make the UFC break stride and does nothing for future fight contracts. Shame. https://t.co/yIkGfekwpG

— Jed Meshew II (@JedKMeshew) March 20, 2024

Luke Thomas

This settlement is bad news for PFL and ONE. Without regulatory intervention in the MMA industry, there is no chance for them or anyone else of international scale to compete. It’s flatly not possible.

How long they last is hard to say, but long-term prognosis is grim.

— Luke Thomas🏋️‍♀️ (@lthomasnews) March 20, 2024

Anton Tabuena

The UFC lawsuit is over! Settlement is $335M for the TWO cases.

I thought it’d be bigger, seeing that it involved thousands of fighters and UFC risked billions in trial.

For context: That’s only 27M more than Ari Emanuel’s 2021 pay, or roughly just 25% of UFC’s yearly revenue. https://t.co/fTt7oOqgQZ

— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) March 20, 2024

Chad Dundas

Gonna wait for the full agreement to come out before I pass judgement (no pun intended!) on the antitrust settlement. First thought is that fighters could’ve held out for more, though $335m is about what NYT predicted in 2021. Very disappointing if no structural/regulatory change https://t.co/GgvkWncEiT

— Chad Dundas (@chaddundas) March 20, 2024

Brian Kelleher

Do I get some ? I don’t want a regular job when I retire

— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) March 20, 2024

Mike Bohn

Will need to see all the post-filing details before full judgement is made, but both sides say they are “pleased” with the agreement in initial statements. https://t.co/SbgkeWKxi9

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) March 20, 2024

Gray Maynard

You were right when we talked a long time ago. They will settle before it goes to trial for around $300 million. https://t.co/LVBOzUX5NH

— Gray Maynard (@GrayMaynard) March 20, 2024

Paul Gift

Driving up to Malibu to give final exams today & my phone starts blowing up. Immediate thought is $335M is a higher number than I expected for the plaintiffs.

Now to see what, if any, contractual changes were negotiated. This case was about trying to open up options for fighters https://t.co/uSiBuvNn03

— Paul Gift (@MMAanalytics) March 20, 2024

Ant Evans

Womp, womp.

This is a couple bucks from the side of the couch to TKO.

Same with Fox News and Dominion.

The System always wins. Little people always settle because, really, it was always about a buck and not affecting change. https://t.co/MjnxoLIGv6

— Ant Evans (@AntEvansMMA) March 20, 2024

Brendan Schaub

Huge victory for UFC. Not sure what the overall goal was for the fighters. Least it’s something but appears nothing will change moving forward. https://t.co/ZmDyxG4K1b

— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) March 20, 2024

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