UFC’s Antitrust Settlement: The Breakdown

After a prolonged legal battle, UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, has agreed to a $335 million settlement to resolve two antitrust lawsuits. These lawsuits, initially filed by fighters including Cung Le and Nate Quarry in 2014 and later joined by Kajan Johnson and C.B. Dollaway in 2021, accused the UFC of monopolistic practices that suppressed fighter wages and stifled competition.

Of the $335 million, $120 million is allocated to the attorneys, leaving $215 million for distribution among fighters involved in the case. The fighters will receive payments based on their earnings and number of fights during the specified periods. Each fighter is guaranteed a minimum of $8,000, with larger sums allocated to those with higher earnings and more bouts.

McGregor’s Substantial Share

Among those receiving payouts is Conor McGregor, who stands to gain significantly. Based on earnings disclosed during the trial, McGregor made $27 million between 2010 and 2017, which constitutes about 4.85% of the relevant earnings pool. This means he will receive approximately $6 million from the settlement.

“Conor McGregor earned $27 million from 2010 to 2017,” explained MMA reporter John Nash. “We know this because the trial revealed it. So the $27 million represents approximately 4.85 percent of the total amount the UFC paid during that period. This means he gets 4.85% of $129 million – around $6 million goes to him.”

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Impact on Other Fighters

While $6 million may not be a significant amount for McGregor, the payout will make a considerable difference for many other UFC fighters. Fighters who competed between 2010 and 2017 will receive 75% of the payout, while those who signed with the organization after this period will receive a smaller share.

The settlement also includes non-financial terms that limit certain contractual practices by the UFC for the next five years. These include capping exclusive negotiating periods at 30 days and limiting the matching period to four months. However, these terms are seen as minor and largely cosmetic, reflecting practices already implemented by the UFC in response to earlier pressures from the antitrust case.

Future Implications

Unfortunately, the settlement is unlikely to lead to significant changes in how the UFC operates. TKO CEO Ari Emanuel has confirmed that the conclusion of the antitrust case will not result in major operational shifts for the organization.

While the settlement brings a degree of financial justice to the fighters, it stops short of enforcing broader structural changes within the UFC. The resolution may prompt ongoing discussions about fighter pay and competition within MMA, but for now, it marks a financial closure to a long-standing legal dispute.

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