In a significant move for the sports broadcasting landscape, the UFC has announced a staggering billion-dollar rights deal with Paramount. This agreement, which will commence in 2026 and is valued at an average of $1.1 billion annually, marks a pivotal moment for the fight promotion company. Following the announcement, UFC CEO Dana White expressed his anticipation for the future of the organization and shared his plans for a meeting with his friend, former President Donald Trump, to discuss upcoming events.
White is scheduled to travel to Washington on August 28 to meet with Trump and his daughter, Ivanka Trump. They plan to discuss logistics for a highly anticipated UFC event set to take place on the White House grounds on Fourth of July, celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence. Trump has expressed his desire to host a UFC match with more than 20,000 spectators, and White stated, “It’s absolutely going to happen.” He emphasized the significance of this historic event, noting, “The UFC will be on the White House south lawn live on CBS.”
The idea of hosting UFC fights at the White House might have seemed far-fetched when the Fertitta brothers purchased the organization for just $2 million in 2001. Under White's leadership, the UFC evolved into a $4 billion entity by 2016, securing broadcast deals with major networks like Fox and ESPN. The new agreement with Paramount is the most lucrative yet, and it comes shortly after the merger of Skydance and Paramount, creating a new entertainment powerhouse.
During contract negotiations, White was impressed by David Ellison, CEO of Skydance, and his vision for the UFC as a global leader in mixed martial arts (MMA). White remarked, “When you talk about Paramount, you talk about David Ellison, they’re brilliant businessmen, very aggressive, risk-takers.” This partnership is expected to elevate the UFC, making it more accessible to fans through the Paramount+ streaming platform.
The new deal will simplify fan access to UFC content, as all events will be available on Paramount+, which currently ranges from $7.99 to $12.99 per month. This change signals a departure from the previous model that relied heavily on pay-per-view fees. Moreover, Paramount has expressed interest in expanding UFC rights internationally, indicating a broader vision for the brand's global reach.
As UFC matchmakers prepare for the upcoming card debuting on Paramount, White revealed that discussions are ongoing for the main event of the White House fight night. He emphasized the uniqueness of this event, stating, “This is a 1-of-1 event.” However, there are still logistical details to iron out regarding broadcast times and potential new homes for popular UFC programming like “The Ultimate Fighter” and “Dana White’s Contender Series.”
Another critical aspect of this deal is its potential impact on fighter pay. White noted that the new agreement would significantly influence compensation, stating, “It will affect fighter pay, big time.” With increasing revenue from the deal, he believes that all fighters will benefit.
In light of the new deal, boxer Jake Paul took to social media to advocate for fighters to recognize their worth, arguing that the end of the traditional pay-per-view model should empower them. He stated, “Every fighter in the UFC now has a clear picture of what the revenue is…no more PPV excuses.” White, however, maintains that the pay-per-view model is far from dead, emphasizing ongoing interest in pay-per-view events.
As the UFC continues to grow and evolve, White is eager to explore new opportunities and push the boundaries of the sport. He expressed a bold vision for the future, stating, “You have the NFL, the NBA, the UFC, and soccer globally. We’re coming. We’re coming for all of them.” With the new deal with Paramount, the UFC is not just aiming to be the top fighting organization but is setting its sights on becoming a leader in the entire sports industry.
