Tko Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC, disclosed that it will pay $335 million to settle two class-action lawsuits filed by former UFC fighters alleging the Mma promoter violated antitrust laws.
Zuffa, the predecessor entity that owned and operated UFC, was the defendant in five related class-action lawsuits filed between December 2014 and March 2015, which were consolidated into a single action in June 2015 (Le et al. v. Zuffa). An additional lawsuit, Johnson et al. v. Zuffa, was filed in 2021.
On March 13, 2024, Tko reached an agreement to settle all claims asserted in both class action lawsuits for a total of $335 million payable in installments over a period of time, the company disclosed in an SEC filing Wednesday. “The terms will be memorialized in a long-form agreement and then submitted to the court for approval,” Tko said, adding that it anticipates the settlement amount will be deductible for tax purposes.
The lawsuits alleged...
Zuffa, the predecessor entity that owned and operated UFC, was the defendant in five related class-action lawsuits filed between December 2014 and March 2015, which were consolidated into a single action in June 2015 (Le et al. v. Zuffa). An additional lawsuit, Johnson et al. v. Zuffa, was filed in 2021.
On March 13, 2024, Tko reached an agreement to settle all claims asserted in both class action lawsuits for a total of $335 million payable in installments over a period of time, the company disclosed in an SEC filing Wednesday. “The terms will be memorialized in a long-form agreement and then submitted to the court for approval,” Tko said, adding that it anticipates the settlement amount will be deductible for tax purposes.
The lawsuits alleged...
- 3/20/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Jack Dempsey/AP
When Quinton “Rampage” Jackson signed with Bellator in 2013, it was huge news. Sure, Rampage was on an 0-3 skid in the Ufc and looked like he had lost his will to fight, coming in overweight and laying a goose egg in his beloved second home of Japan, and complaining about everything from money to having to face wrestlers who wouldn’t stand and trade punches with him (this from a guy who relied on solid wrestling early in his career), but he was still a big name that drew eyeballs. A guy who could headline fight cards.
So his defection to Bellator was huge, and huge for Bellator Mma. It also gave his career in the cage a boost: upon joining Bellator, Jackson quickly piled up three wins, knocking out Joey Beltran and former Bellator light heavyweight champion Christian M’Pumbu before winning a close decision over...
When Quinton “Rampage” Jackson signed with Bellator in 2013, it was huge news. Sure, Rampage was on an 0-3 skid in the Ufc and looked like he had lost his will to fight, coming in overweight and laying a goose egg in his beloved second home of Japan, and complaining about everything from money to having to face wrestlers who wouldn’t stand and trade punches with him (this from a guy who relied on solid wrestling early in his career), but he was still a big name that drew eyeballs. A guy who could headline fight cards.
So his defection to Bellator was huge, and huge for Bellator Mma. It also gave his career in the cage a boost: upon joining Bellator, Jackson quickly piled up three wins, knocking out Joey Beltran and former Bellator light heavyweight champion Christian M’Pumbu before winning a close decision over...
- 12/20/2014
- by Jay Anderson
- Obsessed with Film
The World Series of Fighting brings Wsof 11 to you live the same day as Ufc 175.
While that bit of questionable scheduling isn’t the Wsof’s fault (the date was given to them by broadcaster NBC), it does mean that Wsof 11 has taken a back seat to the Ufc’s big Ufc 175 PPV, which has two title fights, one featuring the man who beat Anderson Silva, and the other featuring Wmma star Ronda Rousey. Which is a shame, because the Wsof is offering a solid card of its own.
It’s not all doom and gloom, however – the cards aren’t going directly head-to-head. The Wsof event will take place in the afternoon, prior to the Ufc PPV blasting off.
The Wsof also has a title fight of its own, a couple of popular Ufc vets, and oh – Jon Fitch, the “love him or hate him” poster boy of blanketing wrestling in Mma.
While that bit of questionable scheduling isn’t the Wsof’s fault (the date was given to them by broadcaster NBC), it does mean that Wsof 11 has taken a back seat to the Ufc’s big Ufc 175 PPV, which has two title fights, one featuring the man who beat Anderson Silva, and the other featuring Wmma star Ronda Rousey. Which is a shame, because the Wsof is offering a solid card of its own.
It’s not all doom and gloom, however – the cards aren’t going directly head-to-head. The Wsof event will take place in the afternoon, prior to the Ufc PPV blasting off.
The Wsof also has a title fight of its own, a couple of popular Ufc vets, and oh – Jon Fitch, the “love him or hate him” poster boy of blanketing wrestling in Mma.
- 7/4/2014
- by Jay Anderson
- Obsessed with Film
The Wsof has had a string of successes of late, including a deal with NBC TV that will get a couple of their shows on network television. There’s big things ahead for the company, who now have arguably as many notable names on their roster as Bellator, thanks to picking up former Ufc fighters including Jon Fitch, Yushin Okami, Jake Shields, Melvin Guillard, Rousmir Palhares and others.
They’re the number three Mma promotion in the world at the moment, and have branched out into other countries (there’s Wsof Canada, Central America, and Japan), setting the stage for an eventual true world series of Mma. The Ufc and the Wsof have maintained a pretty civil relationship thus far, in comparison to the Ufc’s tumultuous public relations with number two Mma promotion Bellator, and to date the Ufc has brought back a couple of big names that had...
They’re the number three Mma promotion in the world at the moment, and have branched out into other countries (there’s Wsof Canada, Central America, and Japan), setting the stage for an eventual true world series of Mma. The Ufc and the Wsof have maintained a pretty civil relationship thus far, in comparison to the Ufc’s tumultuous public relations with number two Mma promotion Bellator, and to date the Ufc has brought back a couple of big names that had...
- 6/27/2014
- by Jay Anderson
- Obsessed with Film
Reed Saxon/AP/Press Association Images
Despite the numerous controversies which still exist in the sport of Mma and more specifically its premier promotion the Ufc today, anybody who has been a fan since the days of Royce Gracie, Don Fry and Ken Shamrock will know just how far the sport has come. Gone are the days of the post-fight battle royals between the trainers, the plans to have the Octagon surrounded by a moat filled with crocodiles and when the rules didn’t prohibit Keith Hackney from smashing Joe Son’s testicles. Now all bouts are sanctioned by a governing state athletic commission, all fighters are required to take part in thorough random drugs tests and a unified set of rules prevent potentially dangerous attacks like kicking the head of a grounded opponent. Since those early days the Ufc has transformed from a spectacle to a legitimate, bona fide sport.
Despite the numerous controversies which still exist in the sport of Mma and more specifically its premier promotion the Ufc today, anybody who has been a fan since the days of Royce Gracie, Don Fry and Ken Shamrock will know just how far the sport has come. Gone are the days of the post-fight battle royals between the trainers, the plans to have the Octagon surrounded by a moat filled with crocodiles and when the rules didn’t prohibit Keith Hackney from smashing Joe Son’s testicles. Now all bouts are sanctioned by a governing state athletic commission, all fighters are required to take part in thorough random drugs tests and a unified set of rules prevent potentially dangerous attacks like kicking the head of a grounded opponent. Since those early days the Ufc has transformed from a spectacle to a legitimate, bona fide sport.
- 5/15/2014
- by Sam Heard
- Obsessed with Film
The Ufc falls under the category of “sports,” but since its television breakout a decade ago, the spectacle of the events has become great TV. Despite the dozens of crossover stars and ascendent champions the Ultimate Fighting Championship has produced, it’s entirely possible that the most recognizable face of the Ufc is that of announcer Bruce Buffer. With his authoritative bellow intoning his signature catchphrase “It’s Time!” Buffer has turned the simple act of introducing fighters into top-shelf television. His history with the company runs deep, and he’s as much a fan as he is one of...
- 1/24/2014
- by Kyle Anderson
- EW - Inside TV
There are plenty of illusions in sports that fans allow to assume reality. We’re all guilty of, at one time or another, telling ourselves that this year is the year for our team. I know I’ve convinced myself on numerous occasions that my team’s latest acquisition would not be a bust even though he is known as an underachiever. And who hasn’t truly believed that their guy could defeat the heavy favorite? That’s what being a sports fan is all about. There is one misconception, however, that we all happily accept as truth because, without it, sports would mean nothing. We can’t be faulted for accepting the blatant deception as athletes themselves fall victim to it from time to time. The professional sports that we live and breathe are not sports at all. They are all businesses that make business-driven decisions to attract the casual fan.
- 3/1/2013
- by Mitchell Stucky
- Obsessed with Film
In terms of pre-fight greatness and potential, the upcoming main event on Ufc 156 could perhaps be the greatest fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s history. Reigning Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo defends his title against Frankie Edgar. It’s the #4 P4P fighter against #7.
Mitchell Stucky joins me on the Getting Lucky Mma Podcast (#022) to preview the upcoming event.
Main Card Overview
Joseph Benavidez (16-3) vs. Ian McCall (11-3-1): The first fight on the main event is a Flyweight match-up, the bridesmaids of the championship tourney that ended with Demetrious Johnson as the titleholder. Both fighters have good power with 4 KOs each and superior wrestling, but we expect Benavidez to grind out a decision victory with his superior work ethnic and dedication to the sport. “Uncle Creepy” has been far too inconsistent in his last few fights.
Jon Fitch (24-4-1, 1) vs. Demian Maia (17-4): While ground...
Mitchell Stucky joins me on the Getting Lucky Mma Podcast (#022) to preview the upcoming event.
Main Card Overview
Joseph Benavidez (16-3) vs. Ian McCall (11-3-1): The first fight on the main event is a Flyweight match-up, the bridesmaids of the championship tourney that ended with Demetrious Johnson as the titleholder. Both fighters have good power with 4 KOs each and superior wrestling, but we expect Benavidez to grind out a decision victory with his superior work ethnic and dedication to the sport. “Uncle Creepy” has been far too inconsistent in his last few fights.
Jon Fitch (24-4-1, 1) vs. Demian Maia (17-4): While ground...
- 1/31/2013
- by Robert Curtis
- Obsessed with Film
Before I write another word about Johny Hendricks, I have a confession to make.
I am biased.
I am an Oklahoma State alumnus, born and raised in beautiful Stillwater, Oklahoma. At the dinner table each night as a young Lucky, we thanked God for Henry Iba, Eddie Sutton, and the entire Smith wrestling dynasty (LeRoy, John, Pat, & Mark) with their 7 national championships and 2 Olympic gold medals. I take great pride in the 34 national champions and 134 individual Ncaa championships of my school and alma mater. And our Johny is part of that bedrock.
When I see a Cowboy wrestler with a freaking spitter on stage at a Ufc presss conference, rocking an epic beard, and his easy going folksy accent, I know that’s my guy. That’s a Good Ole Boy. Now with all of that being said, I can objectively and emphatically state:
Johny Hendricks Is Getting Screwed
Hendricks...
I am biased.
I am an Oklahoma State alumnus, born and raised in beautiful Stillwater, Oklahoma. At the dinner table each night as a young Lucky, we thanked God for Henry Iba, Eddie Sutton, and the entire Smith wrestling dynasty (LeRoy, John, Pat, & Mark) with their 7 national championships and 2 Olympic gold medals. I take great pride in the 34 national champions and 134 individual Ncaa championships of my school and alma mater. And our Johny is part of that bedrock.
When I see a Cowboy wrestler with a freaking spitter on stage at a Ufc presss conference, rocking an epic beard, and his easy going folksy accent, I know that’s my guy. That’s a Good Ole Boy. Now with all of that being said, I can objectively and emphatically state:
Johny Hendricks Is Getting Screwed
Hendricks...
- 12/8/2012
- by Robert Curtis
- Obsessed with Film
There can be no doubt that Anderson Silva is the greatest Mixed Martial Arts fighter of all time. He may very well be the greatest fighter that combat sports has ever seen. At Ufc 153 Anderson Silva was simply breathtaking. The ease with which he dispatched of Stephan Bonnar was truly remarkable. Let’s not forget that Bonnar was the larger fighter and had gone the distance with elite level fighters such as Rashad Evans and Jon Jones. In fact Bonnar had never been stopped in his entire career from either a submission or due to strikes; Anderson Silva destroyed him in the first round.
What is even more impressive is that for most of the first round it appeared as if he wasn’t even trying. Most agreed that Bonnar’s best chance of success was to get Anderson against the cage and use his superior size to rough him up.
What is even more impressive is that for most of the first round it appeared as if he wasn’t even trying. Most agreed that Bonnar’s best chance of success was to get Anderson against the cage and use his superior size to rough him up.
- 10/15/2012
- by Chris O Connor
- Obsessed with Film
Ufc 153 takes place on Saturday night on what promises to be a night of great fights. There literally isn’t a bad fight on the card and it also gives fans another opportunity to see a living legend in Anderson Silva. There will be stoppages, there will be submissions and there will be some excellent martial arts on display. Ufc 153 will be big. Don’t miss it.
Demian Maia vs. Rick Story
Demian Maia has all the tools to be a top contender at welterweight. I think his main problem has been is that he seems to have forgotten what propelled him to the top of the middleweight division. It was his devastating Jiu Jitsu that got him a shot at Anderson Silva and whilst he has made himself a more well-rounded fighter he needs to get back to what it is that makes him so dangerous. Not so long...
Demian Maia vs. Rick Story
Demian Maia has all the tools to be a top contender at welterweight. I think his main problem has been is that he seems to have forgotten what propelled him to the top of the middleweight division. It was his devastating Jiu Jitsu that got him a shot at Anderson Silva and whilst he has made himself a more well-rounded fighter he needs to get back to what it is that makes him so dangerous. Not so long...
- 10/13/2012
- by Chris O Connor
- Obsessed with Film
After Jose Also and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson both pulled out of Ufc 153, another card looked in serious danger of being scrapped. However in stepped the middleweight champion Anderson Silva (30-4-0) who will be moving up a weight class to face ‘The American Psycho’ Stephan Bonnar (17-7-0) in the new main event. After the debacle of Ufc 151 it is refreshing to see a champion stepping in at late notice to save a card and to have the greatest fighter ever step in to do it is even better.
This fight is sure to deliver and if it is anything like Silva’s last bout at light heavyweight then fans are in for a magnificent spectacle of martial arts. For Bonnar this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to test himself against the greatest fighter in Ufc history. He is expected to get annihilated by the vastly superior Silva...
This fight is sure to deliver and if it is anything like Silva’s last bout at light heavyweight then fans are in for a magnificent spectacle of martial arts. For Bonnar this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to test himself against the greatest fighter in Ufc history. He is expected to get annihilated by the vastly superior Silva...
- 9/14/2012
- by Chris O Connor
- Obsessed with Film
Below director Jonah Tulis shares a scene from his Mixed Martial Arts (Mma) documentary "Such Great Heights," currenly available On Demand on via iTunes. The film follows welterweight Mma fighter Jon Fitch as he prepares for the fight of his life against perennial Ufc Champ, Georges St. Pierre. While Fitch focuses on his training, the story weaves through the daily triumphs and challenges of the other fighters at the American Kickboxing Academy (Aka). The Film I come from a scripted comedy background, so “Such Great Heights” was quite a departure for me, both stylistically and creatively. But the more I worked on the film, the more I realized that whether you’re making a comedy, a drama, a narrative feature or a documentary, there is always one constant: it’s all about the characters. And in the making of this film, we certainly found some incredibly compelling and surprising characters; characters,...
- 6/14/2012
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
The Ufc returns to Fox on Saturday with a main card that is sure to please. The main event sees Lightweight contenders Nate Diaz and Jim Miller squaring off with the winner likely to get a shot at the Ufc lightweight title. Elsewhere on the card Johny Hendricks faces perennial welterweight contender Josh Koscheck, Alan Belcher faces Jiu-Jitsu phenom Rousimar Palhares and heavyweights Pat Barry and Lavar Johnson square off.
Pat Barry v Lavar Johnson
The main card looks set to start with a bang. Barry, a vicious kickboxer, has 6 knockouts from his 7 wins while Johnson, a heavy handed brawler, has 14 knockouts from 16 wins. Both men like to stand and bang and this is undoubtedly a firm candidate for the Knockout of the Night honours. To put it simply someone is getting put to sleep. Blink and you might miss it.
Prediction: This one really could go either way but...
Pat Barry v Lavar Johnson
The main card looks set to start with a bang. Barry, a vicious kickboxer, has 6 knockouts from his 7 wins while Johnson, a heavy handed brawler, has 14 knockouts from 16 wins. Both men like to stand and bang and this is undoubtedly a firm candidate for the Knockout of the Night honours. To put it simply someone is getting put to sleep. Blink and you might miss it.
Prediction: This one really could go either way but...
- 5/2/2012
- by Chris O Connor
- Obsessed with Film
Ufc Honcho to Sheen -- You Can Fight In My Octagon!
Charlie Sheen already has a venue if "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre agrees to fight him in the octagon -- because Ufc boss Dana White has invited them to be the "co-main event" at this weekend's big fight.
White tells TMZ, "Bj Penn is fighting Jon Fitch on Saturday ... [Charlie and Chuck] are more than welcome to be the co-main event."
In fact, Dana's even made a prediction -- saying, "I have Charlie Sheen by brutal knockout."
How can you bet against a guy with "fire-breathing fists?"
News Source: TMZ...
Charlie Sheen already has a venue if "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre agrees to fight him in the octagon -- because Ufc boss Dana White has invited them to be the "co-main event" at this weekend's big fight.
White tells TMZ, "Bj Penn is fighting Jon Fitch on Saturday ... [Charlie and Chuck] are more than welcome to be the co-main event."
In fact, Dana's even made a prediction -- saying, "I have Charlie Sheen by brutal knockout."
How can you bet against a guy with "fire-breathing fists?"
News Source: TMZ...
- 2/25/2011
- by tmz
- Gossipvita
Charlie Sheen already has a venue if "Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre agrees to fight him in the octagon -- because Ufc boss Dana White has invited them to be the "co-main event" at this weekend's big fight. White tells TMZ, " Bj Penn is fighting Jon Fitch on Saturday ... [Charlie and Chuck] are more than welcome to be the co-main event." In fact, Dana's even made a prediction -- saying, "I have Charlie Sheen by brutal knockout.
- 2/25/2011
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
In "Ufc 115: Liddle Vs Franklin", Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell and Rich "Ace" Franklin, met on Saturday, June 12, 2010, for a live Pay-Per-View broadcast from the General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, recorded as the fastest ticket sell out in Ufc history.
"...Chuck Liddell, currently coaching the 11th season of Spike's "The Ultimate Fighter", is matched up against nemesis Tito Ortiz, while Thiago "Pitbull" Alves returns to action after having successful surgery, to face Jon Fitch..."
In "Ufc 116: "Lesnar Vs Carwin", Brock Lane makes his return to the 'Octagon' to defend his Ufc Heavyweight Championship world title against interim belt holder Shae Carwin.
"...Carwin has destroyed each of his 12 opponents in less than a round; Lesnar has been just as devastating in his victories over Randy Couture and Frank Mir. When these two heavyweight giants meet for the prestigious title in mixed martial arts, don't blink. Also the legendary Wanderlei Silva,...
"...Chuck Liddell, currently coaching the 11th season of Spike's "The Ultimate Fighter", is matched up against nemesis Tito Ortiz, while Thiago "Pitbull" Alves returns to action after having successful surgery, to face Jon Fitch..."
In "Ufc 116: "Lesnar Vs Carwin", Brock Lane makes his return to the 'Octagon' to defend his Ufc Heavyweight Championship world title against interim belt holder Shae Carwin.
"...Carwin has destroyed each of his 12 opponents in less than a round; Lesnar has been just as devastating in his victories over Randy Couture and Frank Mir. When these two heavyweight giants meet for the prestigious title in mixed martial arts, don't blink. Also the legendary Wanderlei Silva,...
- 10/10/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
With playoff implications hanging in the balance in the NFL, hot stove moves happening all over baseball and the grand spectacle of the Army/Navy football game, it was an excellent weekend for sports. But anybody who caught Ufc 107 on pay-per-view on Saturday night (December 12) was treated to the best set of performances of the weekend. The show was excellent from top to bottom (save for the typically dull Jon Fitch fight), and featured impressive performances from Frank Mir (who tapped out fellow heavyweight Cheick Kongo in just over a minute), Kenny Florian (who made Clay Guida bleed like a stuck pig before choking him out) and B.J. Penn, who put up a good argument for himself as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He took a skilled wrestler and striker in Diego Sanchez and made him completely impotent. Penn beat on him solidly for four rounds, and the...
- 12/14/2009
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
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