Judge Denies UFC Class Action Settlement, Sets New Trial Date

A Nevada judge has nixed a proposed $335 million settlement between UFC and former fighters and set a new trial date of October 28 in a blow to the Dana White-led mixed martial arts league and its Endeavor-owned parent TKO Group.

Judge Richard Boulware of U.S. District court in Nevada denied the settlement, which was reached in late March just before an initial April trial was set to start. A fuller written order with his reasoning should be issued in coming days.

There are two separate Class Action suits pending. Le v Zuffa, is now tentatively set to head to court. A status conferences for both suits, when the trial date will be finalized, is set for August 19.

TKO shares are down more than 2% in a generally upbeat market.

The lawsuits were launched in 2014 and 2015 by fighters claiming that the UFC violated the Sherman Antitrust Act, abusing its monopoly power to limit fighters’ pay. The UFC and TKO rejected the claim. The company said when it announced the settlement that it planned to pay in installments.

A number of the former fighters behind the suit were happy with the settlement. However, news reports today indicated that the judge was also concerned about protection for current fighters going forward.

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The sides will have a status conference on August 19.