UFC President Dana White has laid out exciting plans for the highly anticipated UFC White House event, but indicated that fans will need a Paramount+ subscription to catch the action.
Beginning in January, the UFC will transition from ESPN to Paramount, with the majority of its events set to stream on Paramount+. While there may be a few preliminary fights broadcast on CBS, White confirmed that the marquee fights during the June event at the White House will exclusively be available on the streaming platform. “It won’t be on CBS, it’ll be on Paramount+,” White stated in an interview with The Mac Life. He added that while some fights might air on CBS, the main event will definitely be on Paramount+.
This new approach marks a significant shift in how the UFC distributes its content, with the traditional pay-per-view model gradually being phased out. For long-time fans, the change may require some adjustment; however, it presents an advantageous scenario for casual viewers, as they will no longer need to pay expensive PPV fees for each event. Instead, all UFC events available on Paramount+ will be included with the streaming subscription.
In terms of the actual card for the White House event, President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of “eight or nine” championship fights, but White has maintained that details are still under negotiation. “I don’t know yet,” he admitted. “I’ve told the president we will deliver a ridiculous card to the White House.”
Currently, White’s team is heavily focused on logistics, as the June event promises to be one of the most impressive productions the UFC has undertaken. While the organization has previously experimented with non-traditional venues, such as the Sphere in Las Vegas for UFC 306, hosting an event in such an iconic location brings a unique set of challenges.
Overall, the move to Paramount+ could signify a new era for UFC broadcasting, offering fans an innovative and accessible way to enjoy the sport they love. As the UFC prepares for this groundbreaking event at the White House, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a historic night for mixed martial arts.