#USA #Philadelphia #Berger Montague #Antitrust Lawsuit #UFC Fighters

Major Triumph for UFC Fighters

In a landmark development for UFC fighters, Berger Montague, a prominent plaintiffs' law firm, has secured a staggering $375 million settlement in an antitrust lawsuit against the UFC. This legal victory not only marks a significant achievement in the realm of sports law but also showcases an exceptional level of participation from class members in filing claims. Over 97% of nearly 1,100 class members submitted their claims in a timely manner, resulting in an impressive recovery of what is estimated to be 99% of total compensation earned during the lawsuit's relevant timeframe.

The firm's Chairman, Eric Cramer, expressed excitement about these unprecedented claims rates, stating, "These claims rates are unprecedented in class action litigation even under ideal circumstances. It’s especially fulfilling to witness this level of participation following our ten-year struggle for economic justice for these fighters." The law firm takes immense pride in the near-universal participation from fighters not just from the United States, but from a diverse set of countries including Brazil, Canada, Japan, Russia, and various Latin American nations.

For many of these former fighters, the financial recoveries will be described as life-changing. The Court-approved Plan of Allocation indicates that the average distribution per class member will be around $250,000. Specifically, projections suggest that 35 fighters could receive upwards of $1 million, nearly 100 fighters will pocket over $500,000, and more than 200 fighters will benefit from amounts exceeding $250,000. Additionally, more than 500 fighters are expected to recover in excess of $100,000.

Led by a dedicated team including Michael Dell'Angelo, Josh Davis, Patrick F. Madden, Robert Maysey, David Langer, and Susan Leo, Berger Montague has positioned itself as a formidable advocate for UFC fighters. The firm currently also represents an additional class of UFC fighters in a separate proceeding, Johnson v. Zuffa, LLC, which seeks both damages and injunctive relief to curb what the plaintiffs describe as ongoing anticompetitive behaviors by the UFC.

Moreover, the law firm has proactively initiated two additional antitrust class action lawsuits against Zuffa LLC, TKO Group Holdings, Inc., and Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc.. These new lawsuits—Cirkunovs v. Zuffa LLC and Davis v. Zuffa LLC—focus on addressing arbitration clauses that restrict fighters' rights and push for changes that would enhance competitive opportunities and financial compensations for professional Mixed Martial Arts fighters.

Berger Montague is recognized for its expertise in complex civil litigations, class actions, and mass torts, providing critical services in federal and state jurisdictions across various fields, including antitrust, consumer protection, and commercial litigation. With a legacy of over 50 years, the firm has played vital roles in pivotal cases and has recovered over $50 billion for its clients and represented classes that they have fought for. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Berger Montague operates also out of Chicago, Malvern, Minneapolis, San Diego, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington, D.C., and Wilmington.

In summary, this class action settlement represents a historic chapter in UFC's narrative, reaffirming fighters' rights and signaling a shift towards equitable treatment in the increasingly competitive landscape of professional mixed martial arts.