Leslie Smith Files Complaint Against UFC with National Labor Relations Board
Leslie Smith is taking legal action against the Ultimate Fighting Championship, just as she promised last week.
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Lucas Middlebrook, who is the legal consultant for Project Spearhead, drafted the 12-page complaint, which was obtained by MMAjunkie.com and can be viewed in its entirety here.
“Dare to form, join or assist a union and you too will accompany Ms. Smith not fighting in the UFC,” Middlebrook wrote in the complaint. “This message contravenes the very purpose of the (National Labor Relations Act) and ZUFFA cannot be allowed to continue flouting the Act. No person or entity is above the law.”
Smith had won three of her last four appearances, including a second-round stoppage of Amanda Lemos in her most recent outing at UFC Fight Night 113. One bout prior, she garnered “Fight of the Night” honors for a decision victory over Irene Aldana at UFC on Fox 22. Meanwhile, her lone defeat came when she agreed to face Cristiane Justino – a fighter who often struggles to find opponents -- in a catchweight bout at UFC 198. In short, Smith was in a position that would often lead to a new UFC contract under different circumstances.
“There simply can be no dispute ZUFFA took adverse action against Ms. Smith, and based on the facts set forth herein and those to be uncovered in the investigation into this issue, ZUFFA’s animus toward Ms. Smith’s protected activity was the substantial or motivating reason for the adverse action(s) taken against her,” Middlebrook wrote.
Meanwhile, ESPN.com’s Brett Okamoto has reported that the UFC’s version of the situation “differs greatly” than Smith’s interpretation. The promotion has yet to officially comment on the matter, but that could change soon once its legal team delivers a response to the complaint.
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