Revised UFC Fighter Settlement Reached Final Approval
The UFC fighter antitrust settlement changed substantially after a judge rejected the original $335 million proposal in July 2024. A revised $375 million agreement subsequently resolved the older Le litigation, with final approval recorded in 2025.
The revised agreement covered the Le case
TKO reported that the parties reached the new agreement on September 26, 2024. It addressed claims in Le v. Zuffa, concerning the alleged suppression of compensation paid to professional MMA fighters.
The qualifying class period ran from December 16, 2010, through June 30, 2017. The separate Johnson litigation concerned a later period and was not resolved by this Le settlement.
Approval followed in stages
The revised agreement received preliminary approval in October 2024. TKO reported final approval at the February 6, 2025, hearing, while the court-authorized settlement notice identified the written approval order dated March 3.
The fighters alleged anticompetitive conduct had reduced their compensation. UFC denied wrongdoing. Approval of the negotiated settlement resolved the covered claims without a trial verdict establishing those allegations.
Funding and individual awards differed
TKO disclosed three payments of $125 million into escrow: one in October 2024, another in February 2025 and the final installment in June 2025. Together, those payments funded the announced $375 million settlement.
Individual payments followed the approved allocation process and required valid claims. The settlement notice explained that awards varied according to relevant factors, so the headline total did not represent an equal payment to every eligible fighter.
Sources
- Reuters: rejection of the initial $335 million proposal
- TKO SEC filing: revised agreement, approval hearing and escrow installments
- Court-authorized notice: written approval, covered class and allocation
- Court-authorized FAQs: eligibility and settlement allegations
