As Leslie Smith prepares for what may be a number one contender fight against Arlene Blencowe this Friday in Thackerville, Oklahoma, she has learned to manage her time training and going to school. Smith is working on her Bachelor of Science in Labor and Employment through online courses via Rutgers University. She has 60 more […]
Leslie Smith NLRB Complaint
Leslie Smith finds new home in Bellator MMA
Yahoo! Sports reports that former UFC fighter Leslie Smith has signed with Bellator MMA and plans to move to Featherweight. Smith’s last scheduled fight was to be almost a year to the day in April 2018 when she was to meet Aspen Ladd in Atlantic City. However, Ladd did not make weight and Smith did […]
The Interview: Leslie Smith and Lucas Middlebrook
Leslie Smith and Lucas Middlebrook discuss the details of Smith’s NLRB dispute with the UFC and Project Spearhead. The two will appear at the University of Oregon Law School on Saturday as part of the school’s Sports and Entertainment Law Forum. For context on Smith’s Declaration discussed in the interview, it is attached to the […]
MMA Payout Year in Review: No. 9 – NLRB denies Leslie Smith claims against Zuffa
The 9th MMA Payout Story of the year is Leslie Smith’s Charging Letter to the National Labor Relations Board in which she claimed that she was discharged by the UFC for her attempt to organize fighters via Project Spearhead. Smith, a women’s bantamweight, was known for her work with the Professional Fighters Association and then […]
NLRB denies Leslie Smith appeal affirming the claims lacked merit
MMA Payout has obtained the NLRB denial letter provided to Leslie Smith’s attorney after their attempted appeal of Smith’s charge that her contract was terminated due to the protected activity of trying to organize athletes. The letter, dated September 19, 2018, states that Smith’s charge “lacks merit.” The letter affirms its original decision as it […]