UFC Moves To Paramount With 7-year, $1.1bn Deal

Paramount will become the new home for all Ultimate Fighting Championship events in the U.S. following a seven-year agreement with TKO Group announced yesterday.

This deal is valued at an average annual amount of $1.1 billion, according to the companies. Under the terms, Paramount will exclusively stream the UFC’s full calendar of 13 major numbered events and 30 “Fight Nights” on its platform, Paramount+, with select numbered events also set to simulcast on CBS starting in 2026.

“This deal positions UFC among the world’s top sports,” UFC CEO Dana White announced on X. “The exposure provided by Paramount and CBS under this new structure is a tremendous advantage for our athletes and all who appreciate this sport.” This shift marks a departure from the UFC’s existing pay-per-view model, which Paramount and TKO assert will enable the mixed martial arts programming to reach a broader audience across the country. “Paramount’s strength lies in the vast reach of our linear and streaming platforms,” David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount, stated. “Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our overall strategy, driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty—adding UFC’s year-round must-see events to our platforms represents a significant win.” Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO, added that the deal will allow “deeper engagement for UFC’s devoted fan base,” and that its athletes “will thrive on this new stage.” UFC events are currently broadcast on ESPN, which has been offering tiered pricing for fans to access content across its TV channel and the streaming platform ESPN+ since 2019.

The UFC’s partnership with Disney-owned ESPN extends through the end of 2025. Paramount also indicated it intends to explore UFC rights outside the U.S. “as they become available in the future.” This announcement follows the recent completion of the $8 billion merger between Skydance and Paramount.