Dana White's theory on UFC antitrust lawsuit judge: 'This seems very, very personal'

UFC CEO Dana White, in a new interview, reiterated he stays out of the UFC’s legal entanglements, particularly the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against the promotion.

Then he floated a new theory for the reason behind a major development in the case, which is about a decade old. Wednesday, Judge Richard Boulware of the United States district court of Nevada, denied a $335 million settlement agreement that would have seen UFC parent company TKO Group Holdings Inc. pay out that amount to a group of former fighters.

The UFC issued a statement afterward disagreeing with the judge’s decision, which extends the case and steers it back toward trial – though Boulware could approve a new settlement agreement later.

But White, in an interview with longtime combat sports writer Kevin Iole, said he and former Zuffa owner Lorenzo Fertitta went to high school with Boulware – and suggested the judge may have denied the settlement between the UFC and the plaintiffs for reasons beyond the courtroom.

“This is not something that I focus on. I let lawyers deal with that stuff. But let me say this – it’s probably the only thing I’ve said since this whole thing’s been going on: It’s getting to a point now where this feels personal,” White said. “You know, I went to high school with (the judge). Me and Lorenzo went to high school with him. I don’t know what the hell me or Lorenzo did to him in high school, but this seems very, very personal.”

Boulware has been assigned the case for the entirety of its existence. He took it on in 2015. He was appointed to his seat by President Barack Obama and has been on the bench in Nevada since June 2014.

White was asked if there was any reason for the judge to have something personal, like he suggested. For instance, did White bully him or “beat him up”?

“I don’t think (I bullied him). I don’t think I did anything to this guy,” White said. “I don’t know what the hell happened. But there’s no doubt in my mind this feels absolutely personal, and whatever it is with this (judge), we’ll let the lawyers deal with it and it is what it is.”

The settlement originally was agreed to in June. Boulware’s denial sets up the possibility of a trial – which also opens up the possibility that the fighters in the class groups could walk away with nothing.

Numerous concerns reportedly kept him from approving the settlement, including that the monetary damage compensation was insufficient and lack of injunctive relief. Both sides reportedly urged the case to wrap up.

One of the lawsuits, with Cung Le at the top, began nearly 10 years ago. Five separate class-action lawsuits between December 2014 and March 2015 eventually were consolidated into one (Le, et. al), with a second separate lawsuit filed in 2021 (Johnson, et. al). The lawsuits centered around alleged violations of the Sherman Act. Class-action lawsuits allow for treble damages, meaning the court could’ve tripled the amount it required the UFC to pay.

The group of former fighters claimed the UFC contract structure and business practices suppressed fighters’ abilities to negotiate and explore other promotional options, creating a monopsony. The efforts were headed by former fighters Cung Le, Kyle Kingsbury, Kajan Johnson, Jon Fitch, Brandon Vera and others.