Dana White Ordered To Testify In Antitrust Lawsuit

UFC CEO Dana White has been ordered to testify in a major legal battle that could change how the promotion handles its fighters. 

The lawsuit, led by former contender Misha Cirkunov, comes after the UFC’s other anti-trust lawsuits. While a previous case led by Cung Le was settled for $375 million earlier this year, there is still an ongoing one filed by Kajan Johnson. This new battle could have an even bigger impact on the way the UFC operates behind the scenes.

The case has reached a critical point due to what the court calls “gaps” in evidence. Judge Richard Boulware summoned White after claims 7.5 years of phone records are missing from the 10-year period relevant to the case. The court is now investigating if this information was accidentally lost or intentionally destroyed—a legal issue known as “spoliation.”

This lawsuit specifically targets two controversial parts of UFC contracts:

• Arbitration Clauses: Rules that force fighters to settle disputes in private rather than in open court.
• Class-Action Waivers: Terms that prevent fighters from joining together to sue the company as a group.

By targeting these rules, the lawsuit hopes to not only win money for fighters but also to strike these clauses out of all current and future UFC contracts.

The court has set a strict schedule for the coming months:

• December 30, 2025: Both sides must submit a report on any missing evidence.
• January 6, 2026: A hearing will decide the full scope of the investigation.
• February 4–5, 2026: Dana White and UFC executive Tracy Long will testify under oath about the missing data.

“Although Plaintiff disagrees with Defendants’ position, in order to (a) avoid unnecessary delay in Johnson, (b) ensure that the invalidity and unenforceability of UFC Fighters’ arbitration agreements and class action waivers may be adjudicated, Misha Cirkunov brings this case on behalf of those UFC Fighters, like himself, who fought in a bout promoted by the UFC from July 1, 2017 until the illicit scheme alleged herein ceases, and who signed a contract with Zuffa LLC that contained a clause purporting to require disputes between the fighter and Zuffa (and/or its parent companies or affiliates) to be submitted to individual arbitration (an “Arbitration Clause”) and/or a clause purporting to waive any right to participate in a class action,” The lawsuit stated