The Ultimate Fighting Championship has reached a landmark seven-year, $7.7 billion exclusive media rights agreement with Paramount, a deal that will dramatically change how fans watch mixed martial arts and officially bring an end to the UFC’s long-standing pay-per-view model. The announcement signals one of the most significant shifts in combat sports broadcasting in decades, as all UFC events will now be available through Paramount’s streaming and television platforms at no additional cost beyond a subscription.
Under the terms of the agreement, Paramount will hold exclusive rights to broadcast every UFC event, including numbered cards, Fight Nights, and international shows. The deal will also cover preliminary bouts, weigh-ins, press conferences, and original programming centered on fighters and storylines. This means UFC fans will no longer have to pay upwards of $70 per event to watch major fights, a move expected to broaden the sport’s audience and attract new subscribers to Paramount’s services.
Industry analysts say the massive deal reflects the growing value of live sports content in the streaming era. With cord-cutting accelerating and competition for viewers intensifying, securing exclusive, year-round live sports coverage has become a priority for major media companies. For Paramount, adding UFC to its sports portfolio represents a high-profile acquisition that could help drive both domestic and international growth.
UFC President Dana White called the agreement “a historic moment for the sport,” adding that the move will allow more fans than ever before to watch top-tier MMA without financial barriers. “We’ve built this sport from the ground up, and now we’re making it even more accessible,” White said. “This is going to change everything about how our fights are consumed and will bring UFC to millions of new fans around the world.”
The end of the pay-per-view model marks a significant cultural and business shift for the UFC, which has relied on PPV sales as a major revenue stream since its early days. While the move away from PPV may initially surprise long-time fans, the massive upfront payment from Paramount ensures financial stability for the organization while also potentially increasing fighter exposure and sponsorship opportunities.
Fighter reaction to the news has been mixed. Some see the change as a way to gain larger followings due to the expanded audience reach, while others have expressed concerns about how the new revenue structure might affect fighter pay, which has traditionally included a share of PPV earnings for top stars.
Paramount executives emphasized that the partnership will also focus on storytelling, behind-the-scenes access, and fighter development. The company plans to launch several documentary-style series, training camp features, and historical retrospectives to give fans a deeper look into the world of MMA.
The agreement officially takes effect at the start of next year, with the first UFC event under the new deal set to be broadcast exclusively on Paramount+. As the industry watches closely, the success of this groundbreaking partnership could influence how other major sports leagues approach their own media rights in the future, potentially signaling a broader move away from traditional pay-per-view models in favor of subscription-based streaming platforms.
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