Plaintiffs in Zuffa antitrust case file opposition to motion to transfer venue

The Plaintiffs in the Le v. Zuffa, LLC (and related) antitrust case(s) have filed its opposition to Zuffa’s Motion to Transfer Venue to Las Vegas.  Its main argument is that the forum selection clauses in the plaintiffs fight contracts are inapplicable in this antitrust action.

Earlier this year, Zuffa filed a motion to transfer venue from the federal court in San Jose to the federal court in Las Vegas citing, among the issues, the contractual agreements signed by the fighters.  Also, it argued that many of the witnesses are residing in Vegas thus it would be more convenient for this litigation to occur in Las Vegas.

On Friday, Plaintiffs filed opposition to the motion which states that the forum selection clauses (the contractual language in the fight contracts binding fighters to bring legal action in Vegas) are not applicable in this antitrust matter.  It argues that the contractual language only related to issues “to interpret or enforce” the contracts and Plaintiffs argue that the contracts are only relevant to the effect that the UFC used them as part of its anticompetitive scheme.  The Plaintiffs go on to state in its pleadings that the UFC “torture the text of the Agreements and ignore the weight of authority that defeats its Motion.”  Essentially, the UFC misinterprets its own contracts in this matter.

UFC has issued its own statement in relation to the opposition filed Friday:

“As expected, the plaintiffs have filed their opposition to our motion to dismiss. Nothing in their opposition changes our view that their complaints are filled with conclusory allegations that are not adequate to support their antitrust claim. As we laid out in our motion to dismiss, UFC has competed in a lawful manner that has benefited fighters and built UFC into a premier organization in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.

Indeed, UFC properly competes with other MMA promoters, fairly compensates its athletes and has created a product that is enjoyed by millions of fans around the world. Our legal position is solid and we intend to prevail in this lawsuit.”

The hearing date on the motion to transfer venue is set for May 7th.

In addition to this motion, Zuffa has filed a motion to dismiss with the opposition brief pending.

Payout Perspective:

MMA Payout will keep you posted on this motion.  Plaintiffs argue several other points in its opposition which will cover in the coming days.  Essentially, the Plaintiffs argue that despite the fighters signing their fight contracts which subject them to jurisdiction in Las Vegas, the headquarters of the UFC, the claims that they bring do not relate to the enforcement of the contract.  The contract is only evidence of the anticompetitive nature of the organization.  In addition, Plaintiffs argue that key individuals do reside in San Jose and thus it should stay in the district.  Also, they claim that based on median time of filing to trial, it is faster (25%) to trial in San Jose than Las Vegas.