The biggest MMA-related business story in the industry is the UFC leaving ESPN to head to Paramount in 2026. The deal, announced in August, hit $1.1B mark over the next 7 years. The deal hit the benchmark that White had set for a media deal. It also satisfied David Ellison as he was able to […]
Top 10 of 2025 – No 2 Gambling issue returns to UFC
While it’s clear that this administration would not do anything to Dana White’s UFC, the FBI did question him and the organization after what appeared to be a compromised fight in November. A fight between Isaad Dulgarian and Yadier del Valle ended in a first round submission for the Cuban-born del Valle. Dulgarian was a […]
Top 10 of 2025 No 3 Phil Davis files antitrust lawsuit
In addition to the Misha Cirkunov lawsuit, the same attorneys involved in the Le, Johnson and Cirkunov cases filed a case on behalf of Phil Davis. The difference with Davis’ lawsuit is that he requests a change to the landscape of future MMA contracts. Instead of monetary damages which is the primary reason for the […]
Top 10 of 2025 – No 4 Misha Cirkunov files a lawsuit against Zuffa
In May 2025, Misha Cirkunov filed an antitrust lawsuit against Zuffa which included fighters that signed a an arbitration agreement two updated fighter contracts. From our post in May 2025: 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 […]
Top 10 of 2025 – No 5 Judge finalizes settlement payouts in Le Antitrust case
This past February Judge Richard Boulware finalized the settlement in the Cung Le Antitrust lawsuit. The over 10 year legal battle finally ended for the fighters involved in the class. Via Courthouse News: Thirty-five class members are expected to net more than $1 million, while around 100 fighters should receive more than $500,000. More than […]