With the UFC and ESPN’s $1.5 billion, seven-year partnership set to expire later this year, the future of their broadcasting relationship remains uncertain. Will Dana White and the UFC re-sign with ESPN, or will they take their talents elsewhere? While fans await answers, ESPN has delivered a game-changing update of its own. On Tuesday, ESPN officially announced the long-anticipated launch of its direct-to-consumer streaming service, set to debut this fall at a starting price of $29.99 per month.

The move had been teased by parent company Disney as early as 2023, and now it’s finally happening. The new platform will bring together all of ESPN’s linear channels—ESPN, ESPN2, and more—as well as ESPN on ABC. Subscribers will also have access to ESPN+, and ESPN is offering bundle options that include Disney+ and Hulu for an additional $35.99/month. However, for the first 12 months, everything—bundles included—will be available under the standard $29.99 subscription.

“We are providing everything ESPN has to offer directly to fans and all in one place,” said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. “As we thought about the name, we kept returning to the fact that, across every generation, ESPN is the most trusted, loved, and recognized name in sports—and that we should keep it simple and double down on the power of ESPN.”

Currently, UFC pay-per-view events are exclusive to ESPN+, priced at $79.99 per event. ESPN2 and other ESPN networks also air, regular Fight Night cards and prelims. But with the ESPN-UFC deal set to conclude, the streaming landscape for MMA could be on the brink of a major shakeup. Enter Netflix. Following its groundbreaking agreement to stream WWE Raw, the platform has emerged as a strong contender to land UFC broadcasting rights.

Reports suggest the UFC is seeking an eye-watering $1 billion per year in its next deal—more than triple the $300 million ESPN has been paying annually since their 2018 agreement. With the clock ticking and major players like Netflix circling, the future of UFC broadcasting hangs in the balance. So, what’s going through Dana White’s mind as he weighs these high-stakes options? Let’s break it down.

What’s on Dana White’s mind as the UFC-ESPN five-year deal comes to an end?

Exactly one month ago, the UFC’s exclusive negotiation window with ESPN officially came to a close. With that chapter behind them, the promotion is now free to explore the open market and begin talks with potential new broadcasting partners ahead of 2026. Back in 2018, few within the UFC anticipated that their original five-year, $1.5 billion domestic broadcast deal with ESPN would be extended.

Yet, it was—not only for two more years but with the addition of exclusive pay-per-view streaming rights. That move placed all UFC content under one network. Now, however, Dana White appears ready to pivot toward a new vision—one that mirrors the NFL’s model of distributing content across multiple platforms. Speaking during the UFC 314 post-fight press conference, White shared insights into what could lie ahead for the promotion.

“I don’t know,” Dana White said when. “It depends on what ESPN—or wherever else we go—is looking for. Most of the time when you do these deals, you’re catering to what the network needs. Plus, they’ve got other programming, other sports they’re already committed to during certain times and seasons. It always changes. It doesn’t matter to me.”

Now, with the future of the UFC-ESPN partnership up in the air, the big question remains: Should the UFC stay with ESPN or explore new broadcast opportunities? Share your thoughts below.