UFC issues first statement after judge denies antitrust lawsuit settlement: "We obviously disagree"

A UFC antitrust lawsuit update has revealed the promotion's thoughts on American District Judge Richard Boulware's decision to deny its settlement agreement. A trial is now set for October. The promotion had reportedly agreed to pay a $335 million settlement to end a lengthy legal battle.

Unfortunately, the UFC's efforts to settle the antitrust lawsuits filed against it have been put on hold. Instead, the UFC will now prepare for a trial scheduled to start in just two months. In the wake of the district judge's ruling, the promotion released a statement in defiance.

The statement can be found in full via ESPN, consisting partially of the following:

"We obviously disagree with this ruling and believe it disregards the expertise of counsel from both sides, as well as that of an accomplished and expert mediator — all of whom have decades of experience in antitrust case law. It prevents the athletes from receiving what they have argued is in their best interest and unwinds an extensively negotiated settlement that, in the plaintiffs' counsel own words, 'Would far surpass the typical antitrust action settlement.'"

For context, the lawsuit was filed in 2014 by current and former fighters who alleged that the promotion weaponized improper strategies to monopolize the MMA market, enabling it to reduce fighter pay to roughly 50% of what they would otherwise earn.

Now, 10 years later, it seems to be coming to a close. Many have awaited its conclusion.

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This isn't the only UFC lawsuit in recent memory

Besides the fighters involved in the class action lawsuit, the UFC was involved in another legal battle. Former heavyweight power puncher Mark Hunt sued the promotion following the disclosure of Brock Lesnar's pre-fight performance-enhancing drug test failure.

'The Beast Incarnate' still went on to compete against Hunt at UFC 200, initially beating him via unanimous decision before the result was overturned. However, Hunt felt that the promotion had knowingly allowed Lesnar to compete while taking banned substances, prompting him to file a lawsuit, citing fraud, conspiracy, and battery.