UFC Antitrust Lawsuit Looms, Dana White Unfazed
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – As the UFC antitrust lawsuit heads towards a crucial April trial, UFC CEO Dana White remains undisturbed. The lawsuit, involving former UFC fighters Cung Le, Jon Fitch, Kyle Kingsbury, and Brandon Vera, is escalating after nearly a decade.
The UFC is accused of suppressing fighter pay through anti-competitive tactics, such as eliminating competition and monopolizing the market for elite fighters. With potential damages up to $1.6 billion for 1,200 fighters, the outcome of the trial could be historic.
Dana White in a text message exchange with Lorenzo Fertitta about Jon Jones: “What’s up with Jones? Did he straighten up or is he still being a scumbag?” White texted Fertitta at the time.
Lorenzo Fertitta replied: “Still a douche, but we’re inching closer,” Fertitta replied. “Haven’t moved on money, but sent the letter with an ultimatum.”
Dana White responded: “Awesome,” White responded. “Fck that punk, Lorenzo. He needs to know we don’t need him, or he will fck us over more than he already does.”
White, who has been at the helm of UFC since 2001, exhibits a relaxed demeanor in the face of the trial, despite recent revelations about aggressive negotiation tactics from the UFC’s leadership. “I never think about it ever,” White stated in an interview with Sportsnet’s Aaron Brosteter.
Additional details from the case reveal text message exchanges between White and Lorenzo Fertitta, showing a ruthless attitude towards fighters like Jon Jones. In 2014, UFC’s attempt to schedule a fight between Jones and Alexander Gustafsson led to tensions, with messages describing Jones as someone who needs to realize that UFC does not depend on him.
Another text message exchange between White and Fertitta after successfully blocking Gilbert Melendez from joining Bellator due to restrictive contract clauses:
“Bro, u know i love u to fkn death as it is but what u pulled off this week with Melendez and ‘other dude’ is fukn BAD ASS!” White wrote. “Fkn cut throat nasty business like u see in movies!!”
“We gotta keep taking these f*ckers oxygen till they tap out. We have sacrificed too much to let anyone get traction now,” Fertitta replied.
“I agree! U r 100% correct and i LOVE IT,” White wrote back.
This trial sheds light on the darker aspects of the MMA industry and could lead to significant changes in how UFC conducts its business and manages relationships with fighters going forward. These revelations, coming at such a pivotal time, add extra weight to the imminent court deliberations.
