Ali Abdelaziz’s Dominance MMA is facing a contempt motion after refusing to comply with court-ordered document production in the Johnson v. Zuffa antitrust lawsuit against the UFC. Plaintiffs allege that Abdelaziz and his management firm staged a “revolt” in early January 2026 and will not turn over a single document without a second court order.
Ali Abdelaziz runs Dominance MMA, a management firm that represents multiple UFC fighters including Kamaru Usman,Justin Gaethje, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kayla Harrison, Henry Cejudo, Gilbert Burns, Dan Ige, Islam Makhachev, among others.
The company, founded by Abdelaziz in 2008, handles contracts, sponsorships, and career support for clients across promotions like UFC and PFL, and elsewhere. Abdelaziz often trains with his fighters atAmerican Kickboxing Academyand maintains close ties to Dagestani athletes.
Kajan Johnson, Clarence Dollaway, and Tristan ConnellyfiledJohnson v. Zuffa in 2021 in U.S.District Courtfor Nevada. Thesuit targetsUFC parent companies Zuffa LLC, TKO Operating Company, and Endeavor Group Holdings for antitrust violations after June 30, 2017, extending claims from the settledLe v. Zuffacase. Plaintiffs allege UFC suppressed fighter pay through exclusive long-term contracts and eliminated rival promoters.
Johnson v. Zuffa centers on claims that the UFC maintained an illegal monopsony over mixed martial arts fighters after June 30, 2017, artificially suppressing compensation through anticompetitive practices. The plaintiffs argue that UFC parent companies Zuffa LLC, TKO Operating Company, and Endeavor Group Holdings used exclusive long-term contracts to lock fighters into below-market pay while simultaneously acquiring or eliminating rival promoters who could have offered competitive alternatives.
This case extends the legal challenges from the earlier Le v. Zuffa lawsuit, which settled in 2024 for $375 million and covered a different time period. The plaintiffs seek damages for fighters who competed during the post-2017 period, alleging the UFC’s market dominance prevented them from earning fair wages in a competitive marketplace.
Dominance MMA acts as a third-party subpoena recipient in discovery. The firm manages fighters relevant to the case, prompting requests for documents on contracts and dealings.
Ali Abdelaziz’s Dominance MMA received a court order to hand over documents related to fighter contracts and business dealings as part of the Johnson v. Zuffa discovery process. The firm was supposed to work with a third-party vendor called Holo Discovery to collect and produce these records, but after initially appearing to agree in late November 2025, Dominance MMA reversed course and refused to sign the vendor contract or provide any documents.
During a January 5, 2026 phone call, Dominance’s legal counsel told the plaintiffs that Abdelaziz and his team had staged what they called a “revolt” and would not produce a single document without a second court order, citing concerns about confidentiality and alleged disparaging social media posts.
After an apparently "revolt" by Ali Abdelaziz, Dominance MMA is refusing to comply with discovery requests in Johnson v Zuffa. Plaintiffs are asking court to hold Dominance in contempt, compel production, and order Dominance to pay legal fees.pic.twitter.com/YLdycI2H9X
Source: LowKickMMA.com
