Three months ago, the $375 million settlement for the largest class-action lawsuit against the UFC was finalized, bringing disappointment to those looking for change in the global MMA landscape.
The owners of the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion have long been accused of using anti-competitive business practices to maintain an industry-wide monopsony, but legislative or judicial intervention has maybe never seemed further away than it has recently.
However, this past week saw two new lawsuits filed by former UFC fighters which seek to change how they are allowed to treat fighters.
First, Misha Cirkunov filed a lawsuit which is similar to the previously filed Johnson vs. Zuffa.
This lawsuit underscores a structural truth: monopoly power in MMA isn’t just bad for fighters—it’s bad for the sport.
The Ali Expansion Act is the policy fix. It’s time to modernize combat sports and restore fair competition. https://t.co/WjHethiqGi
— Carla Duran (@BalenciLaLa) May 27, 2025
Now, former UFC light-heavyweight contender, Bellator champion, and NCAA Division 1 National Champion Phil Davis has filed a new suit, as first reported by John Nash and Stephie Haynes of Hey Not The Face!.
Davis and his lawyers are seeking class certification for all non-UFC fighters who have been harmed by the monopolization of the industry.
This lawsuit differs from previous lawsuits in that all others have represented fighters within the UFC, who may be harmed by the company’s predatory contracts and independent contractor status, which differs from how fighters outside the promotion have been affected.
Plaintiff…seeks injunctive relief in the form of changes to Defendant’s business practices, including the elimination of restrictive and/or exclusionary clauses.
Here’s the core of it. It’s a valid angle. pic.twitter.com/bojIbJdHts
— Erik Magraken (@erikmagraken) May 30, 2025
Phil’s central argument is that fighters like him have had their ability to find “lucrative bouts” against relevant opponents to compete in hindered because so many fighters are locked into “exclusive, highly restrictive deals with the UFC.”
The ultimate goal of the suit is structural change by way of injunctive relief that would fundamentally change the way the Ultimate Fighting Championship is able to conduct business.
“Specifically, Plaintiff…seeks injunctive relief in the form of changes to Defendant’s business practices, including the elimination of restrictive and/or exclusionary clauses from Defendants agreements with Professional MMA fighters; and the requires insertion in all existing and future contracts…of a ‘sunset provision’ that would allow the fighter the option to terminate the contract with no penalty within one year after its execution.”
This is not a cash grab.
This lawsuit is all about structural change.
Important stuff. pic.twitter.com/2cR7i6UXW8
— Erik Magraken (@erikmagraken) May 30, 2025
Francis Ngannou is highly relevant as an example here; as the UFC Heavyweight champion and a global star, Ngannou was unhappy with his pay but had his contract artificially extended by a ‘championship clause’ which kept him from seeking employment with a competitor.
Restrictive contracts are one of many factors which leads to the UFC having no true competitors in the industry, as promotions like PFL are so far behind the curve in regards to funding, elite fighters, and viewership.
Nobody should expect relief to come soon; the legal system moves at a glacial pace and even the ultimate result will be subject to numerous appeals and reviews before any potential injunctive relief is seen.
Yet for those who seek to compete in the world of mixed martial arts outside of the UFC’s monopsony, this suit should be welcome news indeed.
So there’s been ANOTHER lawsuit filed against the UFC, this time seeking injunctive relief for fighters OUTSIDE the UFC. @heynottheface & I go over it extensively and just wrapped recording a few minutes ago so we could get it to you ASAP.https://t.co/oLPf3QNT9K pic.twitter.com/JKZCVcfLEW
— Stephie Haynes (@CrooklynMMA) May 30, 2025
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