14 Key Details About The Class Action Lawsuit Against UFC

10. The Suit Alleges That Fighter's Identities Were Exploited/Expropriated

In short, the lawsuit alleges, as part of the accusations against the UFC, that fighter's had their image/identity exploited or expropriated by the UFC for use in merchandise, promotional materials, etc. Think video games, for example. In this particular aspect of the case, Jon Fitch is a huge deal. In regards to Fitch, when introducing the parties to the suit, we find that

Fitch€™s Identity was expropriated and his compensation for appearing in UFC Licensed Merchandise and UFC Promotional Materials was artificially suppressed due to the scheme alleged herein. Fitch was and continues to be injured as a result of the Defendant€™s unlawful conduct.

What exactly does that mean? Fitch appeared in three UFC games during his time with the company, but back in 2008, he was allegedly dropped from the company for refusing to sign over a lifetime right to his name and likeness for use in video games to the UFC. Said Fitch at the time

Working for free and selling our rights away for lifetime, that€™s a little different. We tried to negotiate five- or 10-year deals with them, but it wasn€™t good enough. It was all or nothing. He wanted our lifetime. He wanted our souls forever€ He wanted us to sign merchandising agreement, and it was not a very good agreement. There was not really a reason for us to sign it. The first thing they brought to us was for us to sign all of our rights away for everything forever. It was for very small compensation, and there was no compensation for family members if we were to die. We could die and they could make memorial figurines and stuff and make thousands, millions of dollars, and our families wouldn€™t see a penny of it. The way they bring the contracts and stuff to us, I don€™t know, it€™s just not how business is done.

Cutting a fighter for not signing that deal is not going to help the UFC's case.