A federal judge has granted preliminary approval for a $375 million class action settlement in favor of over 1,000 UFC fighters, addressing claims of wage underpayment and restrictive contracts. U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware II praised the ruling as a "monumental achievement" for athletes, marking a significant legal victory in their prolonged battle against the UFC. The fighters' lawsuit, originally filed in 2014, alleged that the UFC leveraged its market dominance to prevent competitive compensation and limit fighter contract flexibility.

While UFC denies any wrongdoing, the settlement allocates funds for fighters who competed from 2010 to 2017, with individual payouts estimated between $15,000 and over $1 million. Fighters still have the opportunity to raise objections before the settlement’s final approval. Legal fees for plaintiffs' counsel are expected to reach up to 30% of the settlement total, or approximately $115.2 million.