Fighters have expressed mixed reactions, ranging from confusion to disappointment, to the news of a $335 million settlement in the UFC class-action lawsuit, with some questioning the motivations behind the settlement and others seeing it as a missed opportunity to change the UFC’s business practices.
Fighters were left with a mix of confusion, fear, and curiosity when they heard about the $335 million settlement in the UFC class-action lawsuit. They had more questions than answers. Some reacted with surprise, others with ignorance, and a few even made light of the situation.
Social media reactions were mostly of muted disappointment. Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub saw the settlement as a “huge win” for the UFC, whose 2023 revenues exceeded $1.3 billion. David Michaud, a former UFC lightweight, joked about expecting a small payout, a common outcome in class-action suits.
Some fighters preferred anonymity, especially those closely associated with UFC’s current business. They were wary of speaking out of turn. Many were unsure if they’d received a notice from the fighters’ attorneys about opting out of the lawsuit.
Dan Hardy, a former welterweight title challenger, saw any settlement as a “lovely little treat.” Yet, he felt it missed an opportunity to change UFC’s business practices. He was concerned that the financial settlement meant UFC maintained control over their contracts.
Hardy’s initial reaction was surprise. He was aware that UFC always had a sum they could put on it. He hoped this wasn’t another case of fighters being silenced with a check. Hardy was in it for the MMA and hoped the class-action lawsuit could change something for the future.
Others, like former UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell, were suspicious about the settlement’s motivations. The original damage figures left him feeling like someone had cut a sweetheart deal. He was disappointed with the $335 million figure, believing it should have been in the billions.
Gray Maynard, a two-time UFC lightweight title challenger, was prepared for the figure. His disappointment lay in the lack of spotlight on the treatment of fighters during his time in the octagon. He wished it had gone to trial for more publicity.
Some fighters, while not opting out of the lawsuit, were sympathetic to both sides. They reasoned that while some fighters may have been mistreated, they chose to accept the UFC’s pay. Jake Ellenberger, a former UFC welterweight, reminded guys that this was a “volunteer army.”
Urijah Faber, a four-time UFC title challenger, saw the potential settlement money as secondary. He felt he should have been paid more during his career but chose to focus on moving forward. He respected those who dedicated their time and effort to the lawsuit.
Details on the settlement are expected to be revealed in the next 45 to 60 days. Fighters can contest the final arrangement, but it’s unlikely a few objections will overrule the majority in court. As the lawsuit progresses, it’s clear that UFC’s business will continue uninterrupted.
The biggest question from most fighters was: why, and what now? Nate Quarry, one of the named plaintiffs in the original lawsuit, saw settlement as the best possible deal. He indicated that changing UFC’s business practices via court order was more of a long shot than many might have imagined.
Quarry acknowledged they didn’t get everything they wanted. Their goal was to change the sport, but they faced many delays. He was pleased that many fighters would receive some compensation for being underpaid. He invited critics to step into the ring and do better.
Quarry ended with a quote from Theodore Roosevelt, emphasizing the value of daring greatly, even when falling short. He thanked those who supported them, saying they didn’t get all they wanted, but they would be able to help some fighters who are hurting now.