The UFC might just be in hot water, with reports breaking that the Federal Trade Commission is likely investigating the world's largest MMA promotion. The news has been reported by multiple sources including BloodyElbow.com's John Nash and MMAJunkie's Steve Marrocco.
According to the report, high-profile figures surrounding the UFC are being contacted by the Seattle branch of the FTC, including promoters, fighters and managers. The exact reason is unknown, but given the sheer number of inquiries and the line of questioning, many believe that the UFC's business practices are under a full investigation from the the agency, whose goals include the protection of consumers and halting of anticompetitive business practices.
This isn't the first time the organization has come under the FTC's microscope. In 2012, the FTC launched an investigation into the promotion due to its parent company, Zuffa, LLC, acquiring one of the UFC's chief rivals at the time, Strikeforce. While the investigation would be shelved without any action from the FTC against the promotion, the agency explicitly left the door open for reopening the case.
It is unclear at this time what sparked the FTC's renewed interest in the promotion. It is unknown whether the 2012 investigation has been reopened, or whether a new investigation has been launched.
This news comes at a particularly bad time for the UFC. The promotion is currently in the midst of an ongoing class-action lawsuit with nine of its former fighters. Not only that, but it is currently experiencing an unprecedented amount of backlash from its current fighters due to the upcoming implementation of its apparel deal with Reebok, which will go into effect in July.
Details remain scarce at this time, so keep an eye on Bleacher Report for more news as it becomes available.
