12 hours ago
Paramount Nabs UFC Rights in Major $7.7 Billion Deal, MMA Events to Peel Off From ESPN in 2026
David Ellison, the new CEO of Paramount, pinned a major new deal for the media company he's taken over.
Paramount Skydance on Monday announced a seven-year media rights agreement with TKO Group under which Paramount+ will become the exclusive home of all UFC events in the U.S. — pulling the mixed martial arts events from ESPN. Disney's ESPN had secured a deal that, starting in 2019, featured the MMA promoter's matchups on TV and pay-per-view in ESPN+.
More from Variety
How to Watch UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Hernandez Live Online Without Cable for Free
Timothée Chalamet Motocross Heist Movie Lands at Paramount, Reuniting Him With 'A Complete Unknown' Director James Mangold
Paramount Sets Pay for New CEO David Ellison, President Jeff Shell
The seven-year term, which begins in 2026, has an average annual value of $1.1 billion, with an overall value of $7.7 billion over that period. The contract's payment schedule is 'weighted more toward the back end of the deal,' according to the companies.
Starting in 2026, Paramount will exclusively distribute UFC's full slate of 13 annual marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights via the Paramount+ streaming platform. Select numbered UFC events will be simulcast on CBS, according to the companies.
As part of the agreement, UFC and Paramount will move away from UFC's existing pay-per-view model — and instead, the events will be available at no additional cost to Paramount+'s U.S. subscribers. This shift in distribution strategy 'will unlock greater accessibility and discoverability for sports fans and provide an important catalyst for driving engagement and further subscriber growth for Paramount+,' Paramount said.
Paramount said it plans to explore acquiring UFC rights outside the U.S. as they become available in the future.
'I couldn't be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark,' Ellison said in a statement, referring to UFC CEO Dana White, TKO Group chief Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro, TKO's president and COO.
Ellison continued, 'Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC — an organization with extraordinary global recognition, scale, and cultural impact. Paramount's advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms. Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy — driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC's year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win. We look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S., and potentially beyond.'
Emanuel, executive chair and CEO of TKO, said in a statement, 'This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset. Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy. We believe wholeheartedly in David's vision and look forward to being in business with a company that will prioritize technology as a means to enhance storytelling and the overall viewing experience.'
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025
What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025
