Carlos Newton Denounces UFC Model at Nevada Hearing as Ali Revival Act Debate Intensifies
State momentum, paired with Zuffa Boxing’s 2026 Paramount deal, raises the stakes over whether promoter-controlled titles and exclusive contracts should be allowed.
Overview
- Carlos Newton addressed the Nevada State Athletic Commission, calling UFC business practices unfair and declaring, “It is not a sport.”
- He urged separating sanctioning bodies from promoters and pressed for banning exclusive contracts when fighters compete for a promoter’s own title.
- Newton said he was instrumental in the current UFC antitrust lawsuit and argued promoters control rankings and titles, creating monopoly-like conditions.
- California’s athletic commission earlier voted unanimously to support the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, adding momentum to ongoing regulatory discussions.
- Context for the push includes Zuffa Boxing’s planned 2026 launch with a Paramount broadcast deal and reports of other boxing promoters losing steady TV slots.