In a historic move, Paramount has signed an exclusive seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), set to begin in January 2026. The agreement, made with TKO Group—UFC’s parent company—will transform the way Americans watch mixed martial arts, making every UFC fight available without extra pay-per-view (PPV) charges.
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| Paramount’s $7.7B UFC Deal |
Key Details of the Deal
Duration: 2026–2032 (7 years)Value: $7.7 billion ($1.1 billion per year)
Coverage:
Impact: Ends UFC’s decades-long PPV model in the U.S.
Statements from Key Figures
Dana White, UFC President, called the deal “historic”, saying:
“This partnership makes UFC more accessible than ever. No more PPV walls—just one subscription for all the action. It’s a win for fans and fighters.”
David Ellison, Paramount CEO, highlighted the streaming potential:
“Live sports drive engagement. UFC’s passionate fan base will boost Paramount+ subscriptions and cement us as a major sports broadcaster.”
Global Participation & Reactions
While the deal is exclusive to the United States, it has drawn attention from sports executives worldwide. Media companies from Canada, the U.K., Australia, and Japan have expressed interest in similar arrangements for their regions.
BT Sport (U.K.): “This is a bold shift—streaming-first deals are the future of combat sports.”Fox Sports (Australia): “Ending PPV could reshape MMA economics worldwide.”
Paramount has hinted that international UFC streaming rights could be its next target.
Impact on UFC Fans
Previously, UFC fans in the U.S. had to pay $79.99 per PPV event on top of their ESPN+ subscription. From 2026:
More casual viewers can join without worrying about extra costs.
Stock Market Impact
Following the announcement on August 11, 2025, Paramount Skydance’s stock (PSKY) saw a 6% surge in after-hours trading. Analysts believe the UFC deal strengthens Paramount’s sports portfolio, similar to what live NFL, NBA, and WWE content has done for other streaming platforms.
Why This Matters
This deal represents more than a broadcasting change—it signals:
The death of PPV for UFC in the U.S.Increased competition between Paramount, Amazon Prime Video, and ESPN for live sports rights
FAQs
Q1: When will the Paramount–UFC deal start?
A: January 2026.
Q2: Will UFC PPVs still exist in the U.S.?
A: No. All fights will be included in Paramount+ subscriptions.
Q3: How much will Paramount+ cost?
A: Expected around $9.99/month, but official pricing for UFC content hasn’t been announced.
Q4: Will this deal affect UFC in other countries?
A: Not immediately, but similar deals may follow internationally.
Q5: What happens to the UFC’s ESPN partnership?
A: It ends after 2025, replaced entirely by Paramount in the U.S.
