MPO took a brief break for the holiday from the UFC Antitrust lawsuit, but we are catching up on some motions in mid-December regarding Zuffa’s motion to exclude plaintiffs’ experts Singer, Zimbalist and Davis. Similarly, Zuffa filed Motions to Exclude prior to the class certification period. Judge Boulware denied those motions. Zuffa argues that the […]
legal
Top 10 MMA Business Stories of 2023 – No. 1 Judge comes out of hibernation to grant class certification to plaintiffs in Le Antitrust Lawsuit
It was a long wait but 2023 saw Judge Richard Boulware finally issue his written opinion to grant class certification to the Le plaintiffs in the UFC antitrust lawsuit. The August Order, indicated that the plaintiffs in the ‘Bout Class’ could proceed together in its lawsuit that the promotion used anticompetitive methods to create a […]
Top 10 MMA Business Stories of 2023 – No. 3 Francis Ngannou signs with PFL, boxes his way to relevancy
The sun set on Francis Ngannou’s UFC contract last year which mean that 2023 he was a free agent. He signed on with the Professional Fighters League in May 20223. Via PFL press release: As noted by Bloody Elbow’s John Nash, the deal included a non-exclusive contract to allow him to compete in professional boxing. […]
Zuffa seeking to exclude Le plaintiffs expert Andrew Zimbalist
The final expert that Zuffa has sought to exclude in the Le Antitrust Lawsuit is Dr. Andrew Zimbalist. According to Zuffa, his testimony was to determine Zuffa’s anticompetitive conduct and whether there were potential pro-competitive justifications to the challenged conduct. His job was also to comment on the damages theory set forth by defendants. Andrew […]
Zuffa seeking to exclude Le plaintiffs’ expert Guy Davis
Zuffa has filed a Motion to Exclude Le plaintiffs’ expert Guy Davis. Zuffa argues that Davis’ expert testimony is not relevant, does not include relevant factors and its testimony is with the understanding of the average lay person. Davis is an accountant retained by the plaintiffs to determine whether the compa y could pay athletes […]