Las Vegas, Nevada — Mixed martial artist Phil Davis has filed a new lawsuit against the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), alleging that the promotion engages in monopolistic practices that adversely impact fighter compensation and suppress competition in the sport. The lawsuit, submitted on Thursday in the U.S. District Court of Nevada, seeks to hold the UFC accountable for stifling rival promotions and limiting opportunities for fighters.
Davis, who competed in the UFC from 2010 to 2015 before joining Bellator MMA, is represented by the law firm Berger Montague. This firm recently achieved a notable victory by securing a $375 million settlement in a different class-action lawsuit that also targeted the UFC for anticompetitive practices. This previous case involved fighters active during the period from 2010 to 2017 and was resolved earlier this year.
In his latest legal action, Davis has named several defendants, including Zuffa LLC, TKO Group Holdings, and Endeavor Group Holdings. The lawsuit argues that the UFC’s business strategies have depressed wages across the mixed martial arts landscape, affecting not just its fighters but also those in other promotions.
According to the lawsuit, the UFC’s prevailing market dominance has created significant barriers for aspiring competitors, making it challenging for alternative promotions to attract top-tier talent. One of the central demands of the lawsuit is for fighters to have the option to exit promotional contracts without penalties after one year. This proposal diverges from the current industry norms, which often bind fighters to extended commitments without clear timelines.
Davis’s legal team asserts that the UFC’s practices have long hindered potential rivals from achieving the critical mass necessary to challenge its supremacy in the sport. Eric Cramer, Davis’s attorney, indicated that the team aims to prove that the UFC has engaged in a longstanding strategy to reinforce its market position, thereby affecting fighter earnings and opportunities.
At 40 years old, Davis most recently fought under Bellator until its acquisition by the Professional Fighters League in late 2023. With Bellator’s fighters absorbed into the PFL, Davis remains active in the evolving mixed martial arts landscape, continuing to advocate for fairer practices within the sport.
“I’m honored to stand up for professional MMA fighters and help dismantle the UFC’s grip on the entire industry,” Davis stated publicly. The UFC has not yet responded to the latest legal filing.
This lawsuit adds to the ongoing conversation about athlete compensation and competitive practices within the mixed martial arts community, a conversation that has gained increasing attention in recent years.
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