Latest news with #UFCFightNights
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Dana White says UFC fight on the White House lawn is 'absolutely' happening
A UFC fight at the White House looks primed to take place on the Fourth of July next year. 'It's absolutely going to happen,' UFC CEO and President Dana White told The Associated Press in a story published Aug. 12. White's comments come on the heels of a billion-dollar deal to bring UFC to CBS that was announced on Monday, Aug. 11. The agreement will give CBS and streaming service Paramount+ exclusive rights to broadcast 30 UFC Fight Nights and 13 marquee events each year beginning 2026, which could include the Fourth of July brawl at the White House. 'Think about that, the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the UFC will be on the White House south lawn live on CBS," White told the AP. White is scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C. on Aug. 28 to meet with Trump and his daughter, Ivanka, to discuss plans for the fight, the AP reported. The deal between UFC and CBS was announced just days after the network and Skydance officially closed an $8 billion merger and doubles the annual value of UFC's current U.S. rights deal with ESPN+, according to reporting from Sportico. The deal also signals the end of the existing pay-per-view model currently utilized by the UFC. Trump floated idea of UFC fight at White House this past 4th of July Trump first floated the idea of having a UFC fight on White House grounds on this past Fourth of July. "Every one of our national park battlefields and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of America 250," Trump said. "And I even think we're going to have a UFC fight. We're going to have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House." "Championship fight − full fight," he added. Trump, no stranger to the mixed martial arts scene, has attended multiple events in the past, including UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden after winning the 2024 presidential election. White also introduced Trump on the stage on the final night of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The first UFC fight held under the ownership of White and his partners was held at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Trump "gave us our start when nobody would talk to us," White told Fox News in 2018. Trump's White House staff has ties to the mixed martial arts organization. After his campaign win in November 2024, Trump named Steven Cheung, a former UFC spokesperson, as the White House communications director. Contributing: Steve Gardner & Bart Jansen, USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
UFC broadcasting rights move to Paramount in $7.7 billion deal starting 2026
Paramount has signed a landmark $7.7 billion agreement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), securing exclusive U.S. broadcasting and streaming rights for all UFC events beginning in 2026. The seven-year deal, announced on August 11, will see CBS and Paramount+ stream and air 30 UFC Fight Nights and 13 marquee events annually. This agreement effectively ends UFC's current partnership with ESPN+, which pays $550 million per year and uses a pay-per-view model. The new deal more than doubles that annual value, averaging $1.1 billion per year, according to Sportico. The move comes on the heels of Paramount's merger with Skydance Corporation and is part of a broader strategy under new CEO David Ellison. In a statement, Ellison emphasized that live sports are 'a cornerstone' of Paramount's vision to drive engagement and subscriber growth. Paramount+ currently trails behind major competitors like Netflix and Disney+, with subscriber numbers declining to 77.7 million as of June 30. Under the new agreement, select UFC events will also simulcast on CBS. Mark Shapiro, president and COO of UFC's parent company TKO Group, called the deal 'a major win' for fans and athletes, promising broader reach and deeper engagement. Paramount also indicated interest in pursuing international UFC rights as they become available. The deal is expected to reshape UFC's distribution model in the U.S., eliminating pay-per-view and increasing accessibility for fans. It also coincides with political developments surrounding the merger, including past concessions by Paramount that allegedly helped gain regulatory approval. In a symbolic gesture, the deal could culminate in a UFC event at the White House in July 2026, as part of the United States' 250th Independence Day celebrations. President Donald Trump, who has longstanding ties to UFC President Dana White and has attended several recent fights with Ellison, is reportedly planning the event. Meanwhile, ESPN will shift focus to WWE, securing rights to major events like Wrestlemania and SummerSlam under a separate five-year agreement starting in 2026.
USA Today
a day ago
- Business
- USA Today
UFC moving to Paramount next year in $7.7 billion rights deal
On the heels of its megamerger with Skydance Corporation, Paramount has announced a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal to bring UFC to CBS. The agreement, announced Monday, Aug. 11, will give CBS and streaming service Paramount+ exclusive rights to broadcast 30 UFC Fight Nights and 13 marquee events each year, beginning in 2026. The deal doubles the annual value of UFC's current U.S. rights deal with ESPN+, according to Sportico, and it signals the end of the existing pay-per-view model currently in effect. "Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy – driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty," Paramount's new CEO David Ellison said in a statement. The deal also paves the way for an anticipated UFC event at the White House next July, which President Donald Trump has previously said was part of his plans for an elaborate celebration of the nation's 250th birthday in 2026. Ellison and Trump have been seen together at several recent UFC matches. Meanwhile, ESPN won't be left out in the cold when it comes to combat sports. Starting in 2026, the network will take over as the exclusive U.S. home for WWE's marquee events such as "Wrestlemania," "Summer Slam" and "Royal Rumble" under a new five-year deal. Those rights had been held by NBCUniversal, which streamed the matches on Peacock. Those events will be available on ESPN's new soon-to-launch streaming service, with some potentially simulcast on ESPN's linear outlets. WWE and UFC both share the same parent company, TKO Sports.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
UFC to End Pay-Per-View Model in 2026 With $7.7 Billion Streaming Deal
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The UFC is ending its pay-per-view model in 2026 and will instead opt to send all fights in the United States to the Paramount+ streaming app. This landmark deal was struck between Paramount Skydance, the merged company that CEO David Ellison just took over. The new deal will effectively remove the UFC Fight Nights and the pay-per-view events from ESPN and ESPN+, and move them to Paramount+, where fans can watch all fights at no additional charge. Some fights will also be highlighted on CBS. This new deal is said to be valued at $1.1 billion, with an overall value of $7.7 billion over that period, according to Variety. Dana White is seen during UFC 312 at Qudos Bank Arena on February 09, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Dana White is seen during UFC 312 at Qudos Bank Arena on February 09, 2025 in Sydney, a statement from Paramount and TKO, the move away from fans having to pay for the marquee UFC numbered events will "unlock greater accessibility and discoverability for sports fans and provide an important catalyst for driving engagement and further subscriber growth for Paramount+." 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." Breaking News 🚨UFC has a new home in 2026 only on @paramountplus — danawhite (@danawhite) August 11, 2025 UFC CEO Dana White also made a statement on the deal, stating: "The historic deal with Paramount and CBS is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes. For the first time ever, fans in the US will have access to all the UFC content without a Pay-Per-View model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform. This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world. The exposure provided by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport." This is a massive deal for MMA fans, as they will only have to subscribe to the Paramount+ app to enjoy the 13 annual numbered events that were previously charging around $69.99 to watch, and the 30 Fight Night events as well. ESPN is losing the UFC in 2026, but the company is also picking up WWE streaming, which could be why the new deal was set in place. There is no telling if the Paramount+ app will increase prices considering the UFC events will arrive in 2026. For more MMA and UFC news, head to Newsweek Sports.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025 are coming to Al Ain
Combat sports fans, get ready – Al Ain is about to become the global centre of grappling. From August 1 to 3, the Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025 will make its debut at the ADNEC Centre Al Ain, bringing together hundreds of elite athletes from more than 20 countries. The high-energy, three-day tournament marks a major milestone for the UAE's rapidly growing combat sports scene – and it's the first event of its kind on the global calendar. Organised by International Vision Sports Management (IVSM) and backed by Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), the championship is held under the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP) banner – the same team behind the world's biggest jiu-jitsu tournaments. But this time, it's grappling that takes centre stage. What to expect Whether you're a diehard martial arts fan or just curious about the sport, this event is set to be a hit (pun intended). The championship is open to all skill levels – from up-and-coming youth fighters and weekend warriors to seasoned pros and world-class grapplers. Divisions range from U14 to 35+, with both amateur and professional brackets. The stakes? 2,000 global ranking points, international recognition and cash prizes – not to mention the bragging rights of winning at one of the most anticipated combat sports events of the year. Day one will see the professional bouts kick off, followed by youth and amateur divisions on day two. It all builds up to finals and third-place playoffs on the closing day, with intense matchups expected throughout. Why Al Ain? While Abu Dhabi has become a heavyweight in the global fight game – think UFC Fight Nights, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, Power Slap competitions and the Jiu-Jitsu World Championships – this event puts the spotlight on Al Ain Region as a rising destination for world-class sports events. Set against the backdrop of mountains, heritage sites and palm-filled oases, Al Ain offers a striking stage for combat sports and adds another dimension to the emirate's growing sport tourism appeal. Aug 1-3. ADNEC Centre Al Ain. Summer in Abu Dhabi The 27 best things to do indoors this summer in Abu Dhabi It's time for some air-conditioned bliss Psst: This is when summer officially ends in Abu Dhabi No complaints here 25 brilliant beach and pool day passes in Abu Dhabi Grab your SPF – a lush day by the water awaits
