Dana White Reacts After Judge Rejects Antitrust UFC Settlement – ‘This Seems Very Personal’
Dana White has reacted to the judge’s decision to reject the UFC’s $335 million antitrust settlement.
According to reports, TKO Group Holdings Inc. was facing two lawsuits. The lawsuits alleged that the UFC had formed a monopoly to control what fighters could earn. But this was done by breaching antitrust laws. In 2014, 1200 fighters filed a lawsuit, and the case became known as ‘Le et al. vs Zuffa’. Then, in 2021, another lawsuit was brought about by Kajan Johnson and C.B. Dollaway.
To avoid a trial, the UFC agreed to settle. This was dependent on the courts approving it. However, Judge Richard Boulware dismissed the settlement. A provisional trial date is being considered for October 28, forcing TKO to respond. Meanwhile, the lead attorney for UFC fighters, Eric Cramer, responded. Cramer accepted the decision but had reservations that a trial could delay the procedure or adversely impact the fighters.
TKO Responds
“We obviously disagree with this ruling and believe it disregards the expertise of counsel from both sides, as well as that of an accomplished and expert mediator – all of whom have decades of experience in antitrust case law.
“It prevents the athletes from receiving what they have argued is in their best interest and unwinds an extensively negotiated settlement that, in the plaintiffs’ counsel’s own words, ‘would far surpass the typical antitrust class action settlement’ and ‘is an excellent result for the Settlement Classes by all traditional measures.’
“Additionally, by taking the unusual step of denying the settlement at this preliminary approval stage, the Judge is also denying the athletes their right to be heard during this pivotal moment in the case.
“As we have said throughout this process, we believe strongly in the merits of our cases and are evaluating all our options – including, without limitation, an appeal – and have initiated discussions with plaintiffs’ counsel who have expressed a willingness to engage in separate settlement discussions for the Le and Johnson cases,” TKO
Attorney Responds
“Plaintiffs respect the Court’s ruling rejecting the proposed global resolution of the Le and Johnson cases, and accordingly will be moving forward full speed on all fronts as directed by the Court. We now plan on ramping up preparations in Le for the imminent trial, and also will begin pressing forward with discovery in Johnson.
“At the same time, with the interests of our clients and the classes at the forefront, we are also open to reengaging with the UFC to see whether the parties could reach a settlement building off of the momentum achieved in the prior settlement, but working to satisfy the Court’s expressed concerns with that resolution.
“In particular, to eliminate several of the issues expressed by the Court regarding the prior proposed combined settlement of Le and Johnson, Plaintiffs believe the best path forward, if a new settlement becomes a possibility, is to attempt to resolve the two cases separately, focusing first on the Le case given its imminent trial date, and using the progress made to date as a jumping off point for further discussions.
“Thus, while Plaintiffs’ focus will be on preparing for trial, we are keeping an open mind with respect to a potential new resolution. At root, Plaintiffs want nothing more and nothing less than justice for the professional MMA fighters we have represented for more than ten years in the most efficient and effective way possible,” Eric Cramer
Now, Dana White has responded. The CEO of the UFC felt this was personal.
White’s Statement
“This is not something that I focus on. I let lawyers deal with that stuff. But let me say this – it’s probably the only thing I’ve said since this whole thing’s been going on: It’s getting to a point now where this feels personal. You know, I went to high school with (the judge). Me and Lorenzo went to high school with him. I don’t know what the hell me or Lorenzo did to him in high school, but this seems very, very personal.
“I don’t think (I bullied him). [And] I don’t think I did anything to this guy. I don’t know what the hell happened. But there’s no doubt in my mind this feels absolutely personal, and whatever it is with this (judge), we’ll let the lawyers deal with it and it is what it is,” White stated
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