UFC’s $7.7 Billion Switch: Why Paramount+ Just Snatched MMA’s Crown Jewel

The pay-per-view era is over. UFC just inked a 7-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+ and CBS, killing the $80-per-fight model and replacing it with an $8–$13/month subscription. That’s more than a 90% cut in annual costs for die-hards who watched every bout.

Starting in 2026, Paramount+ becomes the exclusive U.S. home for all 13 numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Nights each year — about 350 hours of live MMA, with select big cards airing free on CBS.

It’s also a full-circle moment. In 2005, UFC was a fringe sport until Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter” made MMA mainstream. Now, 20 years later, Spike’s successor (Paramount Network) and its streaming arm are bringing UFC back — this time as one of sports’ most bankable global brands.

Here’s why it matters

• Paramount+ is paying ~$1.1B a year — more than double ESPN’s $300M.

• UFC now sits alongside the NFL, NCAA basketball, UEFA soccer, the Masters, and NHL on Paramount+.

• Fans skip PPV fees, but lose ESPN’s built-in sports audience and SportsCenter exposure.

This announcement comes hot on the heels of Paramount’s $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. There are strong reasons why this deal benefits Paramount.

• UFC’s loyal fans are set to boost Paramount+ subscriptions significantly.

• Broadcasting select UFC events on CBS allows casual and new fans easy access

However, the deal also comes with notable risks.

Paramount+ vs ESPN: What UFC fans really lose and gain

Paramount+ lacks ESPN’s broad sports reputation and cable reach, and while CBS will air select events, it won’t replicate ESPN’s consistent mainstream presence. This means the deal mainly targets UFC’s loyal core fans, not a large casual audience. ESPN was crucial in bringing UFC into mainstream sports culture, featuring fights regularly on SportsCenter alongside major leagues. Yet ESPN’s traditional cable audience has shrunk to around 70 million homes, and ESPN+ lost subscribers in 2024 at about 24 million.

But Paramount+, with over 77 million streaming subscribers, offers a comparable streaming footprint, but it doesn’t carry the same sports legacy. This new partnership is more lucrative for UFC, paying about $1.1 billion annually versus ESPN’s roughly $300 million, yet the platform’s lesser sports recognition means UFC’s mainstream exposure might take a hit.

The deal brings obvious benefits and risks. Fans save money and avoid pay-per-view hassles, but many must now juggle multiple subscriptions to follow UFC alongside other sports. Ultimately, while the money is impressive and the PPV model ends, UFC faces a critical test: whether it can expand beyond its dedicated fanbase on a streaming platform without ESPN’s deep-rooted sports presence.

Was this deal compulsory for UFC, given today’s fierce competition and crowded sports streaming landscape?

Streaming wars heat up as UFC joins the battleground

Live sports remain the crown jewel of streaming because they deliver unmatched real-time excitement. Fans tune in for moments that demand immediate attention, no delays, no spoilers. This keeps viewers coming back, helping platforms reduce subscriber churn and build loyalty. Advertisers pay premium rates, knowing they reach large, engaged audiences. Streaming giants like Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and ESPN+ fiercely compete for exclusive sports rights. Adding UFC gives Paramount+ year-round live content and attracts a younger, highly engaged crowd.

Even competitors are making bold moves:

• Netflix landed a $5 billion, 10-year global deal for WWE Raw starting in 2025 and picked up NFL Christmas Day games.

• ESPN has secured long-term deals with the NFL, NHL, MLB, and College Football Playoff, and plans a joint sports streaming venture with Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox.

But, UFC alone hosts about 43 live events yearly, reaching an estimated 100 million U.S. fans and nearly 950 million households worldwide. By 2025, UFC boasts:

• 675 million fans globally according to Gitnux.com

• 318 million followers across social media

• Over 100 million passionate U.S. viewers

This massive reach makes UFC a coveted asset for media companies. But Dana White seems focused on new projects like PowerSlap and TKO Boxing. Will he stick around long-term? And what about UFC’s growth: will they keep pushing into new markets like Africa, or just focus on cashing in at home? Only time will tell.