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.
Why This Matters
According to a detailed analysis by The MMA Draw. An adverse finding at the spoliation hearing could materially impact ongoing arbitration and class-action lawsuits involving the UFC. In the worst-case scenario for the promotion, findings of concealed or destroyed evidence could open the door to significant financial exposure—potentially in the billions.
The Feb. 4–5 hearing will determine whether the court believes critical evidence was improperly withheld or destroyed. White and Long’s testimony will be central to that determination.
For the UFC, the stakes extend well beyond one lawsuit. The outcome could shape the future of fighter compensation litigation, arbitration leverage, and the promotion’s legal posture for years to come.
Jake Paul Calls Out Francis Ngannou While Recovering From Broken Jaw
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
