Lucas Middlebrook Says There Has Been A Decline In Authorization Cards Since Leslie Smith’s UFC Departure

Project Spearhead interim president Leslie Smith has been involved in a legal battle against the UFC ever since the promotion refused to extend her contract shortly after UFC Fight Night Atlantic City.

Lucas Middlebrook serves as an adviser for Project Spearhead and he claims there has been a decline in union authorization cards since Smith was ousted by the UFC.

“(There has been a) precipitous decline (in authorization cards and that is due to the fact) that the fear increased and the people retreated after they did what they did to Leslie,” says Middlebrook to MMA Junkie Radio.

Smith filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) shortly after her removal from the UFC and the case is still on going at this time.

Middlebrook feels that the way the process has been going with the NLRB reeks of “political string pulling.”

“We received a phone call saying this case has been decided on the merit determination, and only later to say, now, we’re being told it has to be sent to (Washington, D.C.),” Middlebrook said. “To me, in my opinion, smacks of political string-pulling.”

There has been no word given yet as to when a decision could be released on the case, but that can come any time now.