“This feels very, very personal”

UFC CEO Dana White reiterated in a new interview that he does not want to get involved in the UFC’s legal entanglements, specifically the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against the organization.

Then he offered a new theory about why a major event occurred in a case that dates back about a decade. On Wednesday, Judge Richard Boulware of the U.S. District Court in Nevada rejected a $335 million settlement that would have allowed UFC parent company TKO Group Holdings Inc. to pay that amount to a group of former fighters.

The UFC later released a statement disagreeing with the judge’s decision, meaning the case will be extended and sent back to trial – though Boulware could later approve a new settlement.

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

“It’s not something I focus on. I let the lawyers handle those things. But let me tell you — it’s probably the only thing I’ve said since this all started: It’s getting to the point now where it 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 it feels very, very personal.”

Boulware was assigned to the case for its entire life, taking it on in 2015. He was appointed to his seat by President Barack Obama and has served on the Nevada bench since June 2014.

White was asked if there was any reason for the judge to make something personal, as he suggested. For example, had White harassed or “beat” him?

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

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

Numerous concerns reportedly kept him from approving the settlement, including insufficient monetary damages and the lack of an injunction. Both sides reportedly pressed for the case to be over.

One of the lawsuits, led by Cung Le, began nearly a decade ago. Five separate class-action lawsuits between December 2014 and March 2015 were eventually consolidated into one (Le et al.), and a second separate lawsuit was filed in 2021 (Johnson et al.). The lawsuits alleged violations of the Sherman Act. Class action lawsuits allow for triple damages, meaning the court could triple the amount it sought from the UFC.

A group of former fighters alleged that the UFC’s contract structure and business practices limited fighters’ ability to negotiate and explore other promotional options, creating a monopsony. This action was led by former fighters Cung Le, Kyle Kingsbury, Kajan Johnson, Jon Fitch, Brandon Vera and others.