NLRB dismisses Leslie Smith's complaint against UFC; attorney vows to appeal
Leslie Smith has suffered a big setback in her labor fight with the UFC.
The National Labor Relations Board dismissed her complaint against the UFC on Sept. 19, according to online records. Smith’s attorney, Lucas Middlebrook, has vowed to appeal the decision by an Oct. 3 deadline.
In a panel discussion held Tuesday at Rutgers University, Middlebrook said the NLRB’s main office determined the UFC didn’t retaliate against Smith when it bought her out of her contract and released her after a canceled fight against Aspen Ladd in April at UFC Fight Night 128.
Because it was ruled the UFC didn’t retaliate, Middlebrook said, the agency wasn’t required to answer the question of whether she is an employee or independent contractor, which was a central part of her complaint against the promotion.
Leslie Smith has suffered a big setback in her labor fight with the UFC.
The National Labor Relations Board dismissed her complaint against the UFC on Sept. 19, according to online records. Smith’s attorney, Lucas Middlebrook, has vowed to appeal the decision by an Oct. 3 deadline.
In a panel discussion held Tuesday at Rutgers University, Middlebrook said the NLRB’s main office determined the UFC didn’t retaliate against Smith when it bought her out of her contract and released her after a canceled fight against Aspen Ladd in April at UFC Fight Night 128.
Because it was ruled the UFC didn’t retaliate, Middlebrook said, the agency wasn’t required to answer the question of whether she is an employee or independent contractor, which was a central part of her complaint against the promotion.