Outside Source
Dana White is excited about the future of the UFC’s new broadcast deal. | Getty/UFC
While the pay-per-view model will be a thing of the past for the UFC beginning next year, there could be different tiers when it comes to the quality of their numbered events.
The Las Vegas-based promotion announced on Monday that it has agreed to a seven year, $7.7 billion media rights agreement with Paramount. As part of that deal, all 13 numbered UFC events will be broadcast on Paramount+. A select number of those will also be simulcast on CBS.
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In an interview with CBS Sports, UFC CEO Dana White offered some insight into how that might look in the coming year.
“It’s looking like we’re going to do four big events,” White said. “We’re talking about doing a fight at the White House next year on the 4th of July — the 250th anniversary of America. So imagine a massive fight on the lawn of the White House on CBS.”
Based on that statement, it’s possible the UFC could have four “tent-pole” type events that feature the organization’s top talent. When White was asked about the possibility of stars like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones returning as part of the new broadcast agreement, the UFC head provided a more vague response.
“Yeah absolutely. We basically go every Saturday. So when you’re asking about seasons and off time, there is no off time from the UFC. I’m always looking to put on the biggest and best events for the card from the bottom all the way to the top,” White said. “We’re going to do some amazing things over the next several years with Paramount and CBS. I’m always looking to bring in the best talent to put on the greatest fights.”
White: I Love Where This is Headed
While Paramount was an unexpected winner in the bidding for UFC rights, White is pleased with the direction of the promotion’s new partner.
“I love where this is headed,” White said. “I love the idea of being on Paramount+. When you think of these streaming services, live sports is so important because you have to tune in and watch it when it happens.
“If you’re looking at the moves they’re making and the content that they have: they just locked up South Park, they have Yellowstone, MobLand is a big hit, Tulsa King and the list goes on and on. Not only if you’re a UFC fan do you get away from the pay-per-view model, now you’re just paying $12 or $13 a month or whatever it is and you get all this other programming plus all the UFC content.”
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the deal occurred shortly after entertainment company Skydance purchased Paramount for $8 billion. According to White, that merger is only a positive.
“I like being in business with people that I’m aligned with,” White said. “Their vision for the next five years, I absolutely love it. This is a great deal for us. Not only for us, but our athletes and our fans.”
For now, it’s business as usual for White, who has the launch of the latest Contender Series and UFC 319 to oversee this coming week. He expects to make a big impact when the UFC-Paramount partnership begins in earnest in 2026.
“I love the idea of trying to figure out how to make this bigger — what we launch with on the first event on Paramount,” White said. “All good stuff, all fun. I woke up this morning and said, ‘Today is gonna be a great day.’”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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