Three former UFC fighters are suing the company that owns UFC, and the case could evolve into a class-action lawsuit. The suit has been filed in California against Zuffa LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. There had been rumors of pending legal action for months prior to the suit being filed.
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According to media reports, the lawsuit names three plaintiffs. Cung Le is the only current UFC fighter, but former fighters Jon Fitch and Nathan Quarry are also named. The suit claims that UFC is a monopoly on the sport and that they force out rival organizations in order to limit the amount of money that fighters can earn.
An attorney out of Phoenix names Robert Maysey says that he has tried to warn the company about the possibility of an antitrust suit for years.
"I called [the UFC] in 2006 and said, 'You have a choice.' I said, 'You guys are going to recognize a fighters' association or you're going to face an antitrust case," claimed Maysey.
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Maysey went on, saying, "They [the UFC] have become the only game in town and locked down the entire sport. ... At its heart, this lawsuit is about fundamental fairness. The world-class athletes that comprise the UFC are making enormous sacrifices and taking huge risks. It is a basic right that these athletes enjoy the fruits of their labors."
The lawsuit also claims that UFC prevents fighters from profiting from individual marketing deals, working with other promoters, and signing with outside sponsors, all of which are considered monopolistic practices that limit a fighter's income.
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