Dana White must testify in UFC antitrust lawsuit

UFC CEO Dana White has been ordered by a judge to take the stand in the current antitrust lawsuit against the fight promotion. 

White and UFC’s vice president of athlete compliance and regulatory affairs Tracy Long must testify at a spoliation hearing scheduled for Feb. 4 and Feb. 5. Judge Richard F. Boulware issued the order, the same judge that proceeded over the Le vs. Zuffa class action lawsuit led by former middleweight Cung Le. That case was settled with the UFC paying a $375 million settlement to the fighters involved.

The current lawsuit, Cirkunov v. Zuffa, was spearheaded by former light heavyweight contender Misha Cirkunov. "Spoilation" refers to the destruction or concealment of evidence. In the case, the UFC has to provide fighter pay numbers and contract discussion information including White's cell phone data.

In a motion recently filed, the UFC sought to deny class certification “on the ground that some class members had signed contracts with Zuffa that contained arbitration clauses and/or class-action waivers.” The case is making its way thought the system. A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 6 to discuss “outstanding discovery disputes, and the scope of this Court’s spoliation proceedings.” 

The Cirkunov lawsuit seeks damages and an order rendering the arbitration or class action waiver clause in UFC contracts invalid, null and void.