Highlights

  • The ongoing lawsuit against the UFC has revealed contract details of notable fighters like CM Punk and Brock Lesnar.
  • The lawsuit alleges that the UFC employed questionable tactics to underpay its MMA fighters.
  • The lawsuit aims to recover financial compensation for approximately 1,200 current and former UFC fighters and to compel the UFC to reform its business practices.

Amid an ongoing lawsuit against the UFC, contract details of notable figures like CM Punk and Brock Lesnar have been exposed. The legal action commenced in December 2014 when a collective of current and former MMA fighters initiated a Class Action lawsuit against the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and its parent company, Zuffa, LLC. The Class Representatives in this legal battle encompass individuals such as Cung Le, Nathan Quarry, Jon Fitch, Brandon Vera and others.

The essence of the Class Representatives' claims revolves around the UFC allegedly employing questionable tactics to establish dominance in the market for MMA fighter services. It is contended that such strategies allowed the UFC to underpay its MMA fighters by more than half of what they would have otherwise earned.

Furthermore, the fighters argue that the UFC violated antitrust laws, adversely affecting the interests of all MMA fighters. This lawsuit, initiated by the Class Representatives, not only seeks redress for their specific cases but also aims to represent approximately 1,200 other current and former UFC fighters.

Among the primary objectives of the lawsuit is the recovery of financial compensation for all 1,200 fighters involved. Additionally, the legal action aims to compel the UFC to reform its business practices.

Brock Lesnar Was Guarenteed $1.5 Million For UFC 100

The WWE Star Had A Unique Contract

Brock Lesnar's UFC contracts diverged somewhat from those of other fighters in the organization, according to Bloody Elbow report.

While holding the heavyweight title and gearing up for UFC 100, the former WWE star inked a distinctive deal. Lesnar's contract structured payments through his company "DEATHCLUTCH," featuring a flat purse of $1,500,000 for UFC 100, devoid of any win bonuses and without a share of the pay-per-view (PPV) revenue.

In subsequent bouts, provided he retained the championship, Lesnar's purse was set at $1,375,000, coupled with a PPV cut of $2 for every buy beyond 700,000. It's noteworthy that other champions typically receive a PPV cut starting from around 200,000 buys. Without a UFC title, Lesnar's compensation would be reduced to a purse of $750,000, supplemented by a win bonus of $250,000 and no PPV.

Some of the provisions in the contract are as follows:

  • Two hotel or motel rooms, with Lesnar enjoying a suite if he held the championship.
  • One first-class and two economy flights for cornermen.
  • A $50 per diem for meals, covering three meals per day for Lesnar and two cornermen.
  • Allocation of 10 complimentary tickets for each fight, with the stipulation that if he headlined the event, the seats would be located within 10 rows of the Octagon.