

Breaking News: UFC Retains Anti-Trust Law Firm To Battle Fed Investigation

By Joshua Molina

Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has retained Axinn-Veltrop-Harkrider, LLP, a New York City-based law firm specializing in anti-trust litigation, as defense against an on-going probe by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) into the purchase of UFC competitor Strikeforce, FCF has learned.

Prior to the Strikeforce purchase earlier this year, Zuffa had swallowed up several other rival promotions, including Pride Fighting Championship, World Fighting Alliance (WFA) and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), which it operated as an independent series of live events until last year. Other leagues such as the IFL and BodogFight have attempted to challenge the UFC monster promotion, but have failed.

“It is true that Zuffa has retained my law firm, but I will not comment further,” said Stephen Axinn, the firm’s senior partner. “As I am sure you know, people generally do not want to comment where there may be possibly some sort of investigation going on.”

Axinn in 2006 represented BellSouth in the merger with AT&T. In 2005, he successfully represented GameStop in its acquisition of Electronics Boutique and Movie Gallery in its acquisition of Hollywood Video, according to the firm’s website.

Calls to Zuffa’s corporate headquarters were not returned as of 5 p.m. EST.

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