In February 2025, a Nevada federal judge granted final approval to a $375 million settlement in Le v. Zuffa, an antitrust lawsuit alleging the UFC used monopolistic power to suppress fighter wages for years.
The landmark resolution, however, was not an endpoint but a precedent. It established a legal framework and a determined judiciary, setting the stage for two subsequent, high-stakes lawsuits that are currently ongoing in Johnson/Dollaway v. Zuffa and the newly filed Cirkunov v. Zuffa. These cases now present a fresh and potentially more difficult challenge for the UFC, and a bigger opportunity for the fighters who helped build the world’s premier MMA promotion.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 08: UFC CEO Dana White holds a press conference after the UFC 313 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 08, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Dana White’s Court Date
Judge Richard F. Boulware II, who oversaw Le v. Zuffa and is overseeing Cirkunov v. Zuffa, has now ordered a critical spoliation hearing for Feb. 4 and 5, 2026, where UFC CEO Dana White will be the first witness to testify. He will be followed by UFC Vice President of Athlete Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, Tracy Long.
Spoliation refers to the destruction, alteration, or loss of evidence relevant to a legal proceeding, and a finding against the UFC could carry severe consequences.
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The hearing stems from allegations by the plaintiffs in the Cirkunov case of “gaps in production” of evidence, specifically concerning cell phone data from White and Long.
Combat Sports legal analyst Zach Arnold noted in his newsletter, The MMA Draw, “If UFC is found to have destroyed critical evidence, then it goes to both the heart of intent and illegality. If allegations regarding evidence tampering, destruction, or evasion can be determined by the Court, then it creates a hypothetical scenario for Judge Boulware to rule that UFC’s current arbitration clauses and class-action waivers are both unenforceable and unconscionable under Nevada law.”
This hearing adds a layer of personal scrutiny for White, who has publicly accused Judge Boulware of holding a personal vendetta against him.
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White stated in an Aug. 2024 interview with the now-retired sports journalist Kevin Iole, “You know, I went to high school with (the judge). Me and Lorenzo [Fertitta] went to high school with him. I don’t know what the hell me or Lorenzo did to him in high school, but this seems very, very personal.”
The Lawsuit Details
The Cirkunov lawsuit, led by former light heavyweight contender Misha Cirkunov and filed in May 2025, challenges a specific defense that the UFC is employing in the broader Johnson case.
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Misha CirkunovTom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
The UFC has moved to deny class certification for fighters who signed contracts containing arbitration clauses and class-action waivers, arguing they forfeited their right to sue the organization. The Cirkunov complaint, however, is designed to break that defense.
As stated in the legal filing, its purpose is to “ensure that the invalidity and unenforceability of UFC Fighters’ arbitration agreements and class action waivers may be adjudicated.”
In short, the case seeks to nullify those aforementioned contractual clauses and clear the path for the Johnson lawsuit to proceed as a full class action. This could also potentially expose the UFC to damages on a scale similar to the $1.6 billion initially sought in the Le case.
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Fighter Sentiment Divided
The record settlement in the Le case revealed a complex spectrum of fighter sentiment toward the UFC and the legal process.
For many, the payouts, which averaged nearly $250,000 and reached over $10 million for top earners like Anderson Silva, were a vindication.
However, some veterans felt it was insufficient. Former heavyweight Mark Hunt, who is pursuing a separate RICO lawsuit against the UFC, has been openly critical.
In a podcast interview for On the Stands, he alleged that the lawsuit was not enough for most fighters, stating, “It’s not about the money, it’s like [the UFC] changed the goal post for themselves. It didn’t help any other fighters. Other fighters get 5,000 bucks, and they’re struggling a whole lot.”
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Conversely, current lightweight contender Renato Moicano refused his approximately $200,000 settlement payout on principle.
As the 2026 hearing approaches, the UFC faces a multi-front legal war where the Cirkunov case could be the key to unlocking the larger Johnson lawsuit.
The court’s order for Dana White to testify under oath about potential missing evidence is a huge deal, to put it lightly. The outcome will determine the viability of UFC contracts with billions of dollars and the future of fighter compensation on the line.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
