On Thursday, three additional UFC employees, including chief business officer Hunter Campbell, testified in Nevada Federal District Court as part of an ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by former fighters against the organization.
Throughout a lengthy seven-plus hour session, Campbell took the stand under oath, responding to questions from attorneys and Judge Richard Boulware regarding potential spoliation issues and the management of cell phones during the litigation hold, similar to the inquiries faced by UFC CEO Dana White and legal executive Tracy Long during the previous day’s testimony.
Campbell’s Testimony
Campbell, who became a central figure during the testimonies of White and Long, volunteered to testify but ran out of time the day before. During his appearance, he was questioned about his management of White’s phones and his communication practices.
He affirmed that he consistently treated the situation as under litigation hold and encouraged his colleagues to do the same. This included matchmaker Mick Maynard, who expressed concerns about turning over cellular devices due to privacy issues. When one of White’s phones reportedly went missing, Campbell took immediate action, launching a search throughout the office and both his and White’s residences, but was unsuccessful.
Concerns Over Phone Management
In addition to Campbell’s insights, the court session revealed interesting aspects of UFC’s operations, notably challenges regarding the handover of relevant messages to the court. Judge Boulware criticized the lengthy process involving the analysis of cell phones in the defendants’ possession and urged UFC attorneys to rectify the situation within 30 days, indicating that mishandling could lead to sanctions.
White’s Role in UFC Contracts
On Wednesday, White stated that he no longer negotiates UFC fights or promotional agreements, instead directing inquiries to his matchmaking team, which includes Campbell. This practice has been in place since Campbell returned to a more significant role in 2017, with his first task involving negotiations for UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic’s contract.
Use of Letters of Agreement
The UFC has long utilized Letters of Agreement (LOA) in negotiations, often referred to as “side letters,” which are exempt from public record. Campbell noted that these are commonly granted to high-profile athletes or in special cases to ensure their safety, citing the recent example of title challenger Diego Lopes, who has faced violence due to his background.
Other Testimonies and Next Steps
Prior to Campbell’s extended questioning, Eric Yee, Director of Social Media, and Elliott Howard, White’s photographer and assistant, also provided testimonies regarding their roles and responsibilities. Following the conclusions of these testimonies, Judge Boulware scheduled another court session for the upcoming Wednesday to further address outstanding issues, emphasizing the urgency to complete the spoliation hearings by April.
