Mikhail Cirkunov has filed a new antitrust lawsuit against Zuffa in Nevada Federal Court. The lawsuit will be assigned to Judge Richard Boulware who presided over the Le case and currently the Kajan Johnson case.
The Complaint appears to be a mirror image of the Le and Johnson cases. However, this one is updated to encompass fighters who had signed the arbitration agreement and waiver amendment to fighter contracts.
The Kajan Johnson lawsuit encompasses those fighters that had not signed arbitration or waiver agreements.
The Cirkunov lawsuit sweeps up the rest of fighters who were precluded from the Johnson case.
Essentially, Cirkunov adopts the filings of Le and Johnson but includes a section about those that signed Arbitration Agreements and Class-Action Waivers.
Payout Perspective:
It will be interesting to see how TKO/Zuffa handles this lawsuit considering it has settled Le and continues to litigate Johnson. The wrinkle in this case is that these fighters have (presumably) signed addendums waiving their right to a lawsuit. Thus, the first question will be weather Cirkunov’s claims are to be heard in front of an arbitrator or if the Court can decide. Could we be getting ready for another long and arduous lawsuit or will TKO attempt to settle this case and Johnson? MPO will continue to follow.
Leave a Reply