Ufc Agrees To $335 Million Settlement With Former Fighters Who Filed Antitrust Lawsuits

Sean O'Malley, left, and Marlon Vera face off during a news conference Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Miami for Saturday's UFC 299 mixed martial arts event. The two are scheduled to fight in a bantamweight bout. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Sean O'Malley, left, and Marlon Vera face off during a news conference Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Miami for Saturday's UFC 299 mixed martial arts event. The two are scheduled to fight in a bantamweight bout. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — UFC parent company TKO Group Holdings reached a $335 million settlement regarding two antitrust lawsuits brought by former fighters in the organization, according to TKO's disclosure to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The agreement was reached March 13, and the payments will be paid out over time rather than in a lump sum and will be tax deductible.

The two class-action lawsuits by former UFC fighters were led by Cung Le, filed in 2014, and Kajan Johnson, filed in 2021.

“We are pleased with the settlement and will disclose more when we file with the Court in 45-60 days,” Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association, led by one of the attorneys, posted on X (formerly Twitter).

A UFC spokesperson released a statement that read, “We are pleased to have reached an agreement to settle all claims asserted in both the Le and Johnson class action lawsuits, bringing litigation to a close and benefiting all parties. The final terms of the settlement will be submitted to the court for approval.”

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