Dana White Ordered to Testify in Ongoing UFC Antitrust Lawsuit

Dana White has been ordered to testify in a critical phase of the ongoing antitrust litigation against the Ultimate Fighting Championship. White, along with UFC legal department executive Tracy Long, will be placed on the stand in the Cirkunov v. Zuffa class-action lawsuit. The case centers on allegations that the UFC has suppressed fighter pay through anti-competitive practices claims that echo earlier litigation against the promotion.

What the Court Is Investigating

At issue is the UFC’s obligation to turn over fighter pay and contract discussion data, including cell phone data from White’s personal devices. While multiple phones and datasets were disclosed, plaintiffs allege there are “gaps in production” from both White’s and Long’s records.

That allegation prompted Richard F. Boulware the same federal judge who presided over Le v. Zuffa to order a spoliation hearing on Feb. 4–5.

Spoliation is a legal term referring to the destruction, alteration, or concealment of evidence. If the court finds spoliation occurred, the consequences can be severe, including adverse inferences, sanctions, or broader impacts on related cases.

Judge Boulware is not new to UFC antitrust matters. He previously oversaw Le v. Zuffa, which resulted in a $350 million verdict against Zuffa/UFC before post-trial proceedings and appeals reshaped the case.

White has publicly criticized Boulware in the past, alleging the judge harbors a personal vendetta. In a prior interview, White said he attended high school with Boulware and suggested lingering personal animosity influenced rulings against the promotion.

“I don’t think I did anything to this guy,” White said earlier this year.

“But there’s no doubt in my mind this feels absolutely personal… whatever it is with this guy, we’ll let the lawyers deal with it.”

Now, the matter moves beyond public comments and into sworn testimony.