Lorenzo Fertitta

Several hours after the announcement of a major class-action lawsuit filed against the UFC by a trio of current and ex-fighters, the promotion said it has yet to see the allegations against it, but will go to the mat in defense of its business.

“The UFC is aware of the action filed today but has not been served, nor has it had the opportunity to review the document,” read a prepared statement posted today on UFC.com. “The UFC will vigorously defend itself and its business practices.”

The 63-page document is now public record after two years of behind the scenes work by an attorneys from several firms, including those that specialize in class-action suits. It was filed today in U.S. District Court in Northern California, San Jose Division.

Attorney Rob Maysey, who in 2009 created the Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association, is a chief architect of the lawsuit and spoke today at a press conference announcing the litigation.

Onetime UFC title challenger Jon Fitch, retired fighter Nate Quarry and active UFC contractee Cung Le are the plaintiffs named in the case.

The complaint alleges the UFC conspired to create a monopoly and engaged in anti-competitive practices that crippled competition and created a marketplace where fighters could not receive fair compensation.

A chief target in the suit is a well-known UFC contract clause that awards the promotion name and likeness rights in perpetuity. Co-plaintiff Fitch’s fight with the UFC over the clause is detailed in the suit.

As of 2013, the UFC employed between 10-12 lawyers in addition to executives Michael Mersch and Ike Lawrence Epstein, who are also attorneys.