For years, UFC fighters battled inside the cage, but outside it, a different kind of fight raged on. A legal war spanning a decade, one that promised to shake the foundations of Dana White’s empire. It was supposed to be about justice, about fighters finally getting their due. But was it really?
After a long and bitter antitrust lawsuit, the UFC and Dana White agreed to settle for $375 million in 2024, bringing an end to the infamous ‘Le vs. Zuffa’ case. Over 1000 fighters, past and present, were set to receive payments. On the surface, it seemed like a win for MMA athletes. Yet, beneath the headlines, there is a different story—a reality that Team Khabib’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, didn’t hesitate to expose.
Ali Abdelaziz paints a grim picture for fighters after UFC and Dana White’s class action lawsuit
Ali Abdelaziz, who manages some of the sport’s biggest names, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, believes the fighters never stood a chance. According to him, this lawsuit was never truly about the athletes—it was about the lawyers cashing in.
In an interview with Kevin Iole, shared on Instagram by MMA Uncensored, the veteran manager stated, “They got played by a whole bunch of lawyers and the lawyers knew they were going to make almost $150 million, and the lawyer got paid.”
In his eyes, the entire legal battle wasn’t about justice or fairness. It was about making a name, about racking up fees, while the fighters—the ones who risked everything—walked away with scraps. “This was not about the fighters,” he continued. “It was about them getting their name out there. Because the fighters are not going to get anything.”
A damning verdict. But does it hold weight? According to a report by The Guardian, “Payments to fighters will vary. Thirty-five are in line to net over $1m. Five hundred will receive in excess of $100,000. Nearly 800 can expect more than $50,000.”
If Ali Abdelaziz is right, then the fighters didn’t just lose inside the Octagon. They lost in court, too. The ‘Le vs. Zuffa’ case may be over, but the battle isn’t. A second lawsuit, ‘Johnson vs. Zuffa’, remains in court. This one, covering fighters from 2017 onward, could bring more than just financial compensation. It could force changes to how the UFC and Dana White operate, altering contracts and revenue distribution.
But will it? Or will it follow the same path—years of legal warfare, millions in legal fees, and another settlement that leaves fighters with breadcrumbs? It remains to be seen. Behind the legal jargon and settlement figures lies a darker reality—one of broken bodies, declining mental health, and financial hardship.
Harrowing stories of fighter’s life after the UFC brought to light in letters to support the settlement verdict
During the proposed settlement in the ‘Le vs Zuffa’ lawsuit, more than 50 ex-UFC fighters submitted letters in support of the settlement. For many of the warriors, life after the Octagon is not one of glory, but of struggle.
Among the letters was one from UFC Hall of Famer and PRIDE FC legend, Wanderlei Silva. His message read, ”I fear that during my career I have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) and am noticing symptoms common with TBI and CTE including depression, mood swings, and irritability. To date, no treatment for CTE has been found. I suffer from sleep apnea and have difficulty sleeping and breathing.”
Recurring themes in the fighters’ letters painted a grim picture: mounting medical bills, lingering injuries, and mental health struggles. The $375 million payout may seem like a significant sum, but Ali Abdelaziz’s stark critique reveals a troubling truth—fighters may have once again been left in the dust, their sacrifices overlooked in favor of lawyerly gains.
With the ‘Johnson vs. Zuffa’ case still in play, could the legal landscape shift in favor of the athletes? Or will this be yet another chapter where the fighters who gave everything to the sport, are forced to settle for less? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
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