UFC inks a seven-year rights deal with Paramount Global worth about $1.1 billion per year, moving all events to Paramount+ with select numbered cards also simulcast on CBS. The agreement marks a major shift in how the promotion’s events are distributed, as fans can expect a streaming-first approach with broader platform integration and fewer pay-per-view fees.
Dana White, the UFC president, said the deal is still being finalized on several fronts but emphasized it represents a significant evolution for the organization. He noted that some components, such as the futures of The Ultimate Fighter, Road To UFC, and Dana White’s Contender Series, could be realigned within the new framework. “This is a 1-of-1 event,” White said when discussing the debut under Paramount, underscoring the unique nature of the partnership.
The deal comes amid Paramount Global’s broader reshaping after its merger with Skydance, a union White described as bringing ambitious vision and aggressive, risk-taking leadership to the partnership. He praised Skydance CEO David Ellison for his strategic thinking and suggested the collaboration could unlock new growth avenues for UFC on a global scale.
Financially, the pact represents a substantial leap from the current ESPN arrangement, which has paid roughly $550 million annually. Under the new terms, UFC content will largely reside on Paramount+, with live events also hit by CBS on select nights. The move is designed to simplify access for fans, removing much of the traditional pay-per-view hurdle.
The new deal also signals potential expansion beyond the United States as Paramount plans to explore UFC rights abroad in the future. White stressed that the arrangement could reshape fighter pay as the revenue model shifts, noting that “every time we win, everybody wins,” while acknowledging discussions will continue to address how results-based pay structures will adapt under the streaming framework.
The deal arrives as UFC and White look to capitalize on the industry-wide pivot away from traditional PPV. Boxer Jake Paul weighed in online, arguing a clearer revenue picture should help fighters gauge their worth and reduce reliance on PPV buys. White, however, dismissed the notion that pay-per-view is dead, indicating there could still be a role for PPV in select contexts, especially for non-U.S. events or collaborations with other promoters.
Beyond the business and distribution changes, White also touched on a possible logistics-heavy project: a UFC event on the White House grounds to celebrate a national milestone. He was set to travel to Washington to meet with Trump and Ivanka Trump to discuss the logistics for a potential Fourth of July fight card next year, a concept Trump had floated that would bring a large crowd to the White House south lawn and be broadcast on a major network.
In the immediate term, UFC fans can expect a loaded debut under Paramount, with matchmakers working to shape a marquee card for the streaming era. While details about a specific main event were not finalized, White stressed the uniqueness of the moment and the opportunity to redefine how fans access and experience UFC fights.
Additional value and context:
– The shift to Paramount+ aligns with a broader trend of streaming-first sports rights where platforms seek exclusive content to drive subscriptions and engagement.
– The move may influence fighter compensation structures as the revenue model evolves from gate-driven and PPV-driven to subscription-based monetization.
– The Paramount-Skydance merger could accelerate cross-media opportunities for UFC content, including archival footage and potential new content formats for global audiences.
Overall, the deal positions UFC for a transformative era under Paramount, with strategic ties to broader entertainment industry changes, a potential high-visibility White House fight event in the works, and ongoing conversations about how best to align fighter pay with expanded, streaming-driven revenue. It signals White’s ambition to push UFC toward the top of the sports landscape and beyond, aiming for leadership across sports, entertainment, and global reach.