The Plaintiffs in the Le v. Zuffa antitrust lawsuit filed declarations to the Court essentially telling Judge Boulware that they cannot wait for a trial especially with the risk of getting nothing and that the new settlement of $375 million would be life altering.
In total, there were 56 plaintiffs that filed Declarations in support of Motion for Preliminary Approval of the Settlement Plan. Many notable fighters filed Declarations including Cung Le, Sage Northcutt, Shane Carwin, Wanderlei Silva and Spencer Fisher.
Notably, Northcutt’s declaration indicated that he fought in the UFC 5 times but has only had 1 fight since then. Northcutt signed with ONE Championship but due to injuries and other issues has just fought once in MMA since leaving the UFC in 2018. (Actually 2 fights per Wikipedia. He states that he has “not earned a steady income.”
More dire were declarations from the likes of Wanderlei Silva indicating that they are suffering sleeping and breathing problems as well as other conditions consistent with traumatic brain injuries such as depression and mood swings. Fisher, whose physical issues were chronicled, filed a declaration in support of the settlement. Shane Carwin, an engineer by trade, stated that he cannot hold down a job due to his inability to focus which may be attributed a traumatic brain injury.
The day after the declarations were filed, the attorneys for the plaintiffs filed what was likely the proposed payout schedules for the fighters in the Le class.
Payout Perspective:
It’s unknown if these pleas will really persuade Judge Boulware who must assess the settlement against what the plaintiffs’ experts originally projected the value of the cases. Zuffa can remain silent on this or offer its own support of the settlement. One thing that has been noted is the belief that Zuffa would appeal any judgment which would clog the process of obtaining funds. MPO will continue to follow.
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