In August 2025, UFC announced it would leave ESPN+ at the end of 2025. The move came after the MMA promotion signed a multi-billion-dollar deal with Paramount, making the streaming platform the exclusive home of all UFC events in the USA.
UFC’s decision to leave ESPN+ for Paramount+ was monumental. However, many people expected the move, with UFC CEO Dana White having announced in March 2025 that he was reconsidering the ESPN broadcast deal.
What the new UFC-Paramount+ deal entails
Paramount signed a 7-year media rights deal with TKO Group Holdings, Inc., the company that owns UFC and WWE. The deal has an average annual value of $1.1 billion, bringing its total worth to around $7.7 billion.
Under the deal, Paramount will have exclusive broadcast rights to all UFC events in the U.S., with 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights streaming on Paramount+.
However, select UFC events will also be simulcast on CBS, Paramount’s broadcast network.
On December 6, 2025, Paramount+ and UFC announced a new lineup for the 2026 season, revealing that UFC events would be available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S., Latin America, and Australia.
Both organizations have welcomed the UFC-Paramount deal:
“This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset,” stated TKO’s Executive Chair and CEO, Ariel Emmanuel.
He also revealed that the deal was an important milestone for UFC’s growth and expansion strategy:
“Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy.”
David Ellison, Paramount’s CEO and Chairman, was also very enthusiastic about the UFC-Paramount deal:
“I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark. Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC – an organization with extraordinary global recognition, scale, and cultural impact.”
He also emphasized the importance of the deal to Paramount’s live sports content strategy:
“Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy — driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win.”
End of an era for UFC on ESPN+
The announcement that UFC is leaving ESPN+ marks the end of an era for both the combat sport and the streaming platform.
ESPN became the exclusive home of the UFC in 2019, under a deal that saw the platform showcase 42 live events. UFC and ESPN expanded the deal further in March 2019, giving ESPN+ exclusive distribution rights to pay-per-view events in the United States.
However, the relationship between UFC and ESPN had become fraught, with both sides reportedly unhappy with the broadcast deal.
In March 2025, reports emerged that UFC, specifically Dana White, was unhappy with ESPN over technical difficulties that occurred during a major live event. Additionally, there was speculation that ESPN had been prioritizing other popular sports, such as the NBA, over UFC.
Around the same time, ESPN was also rumored to be unhappy with the MMA promotion due to poor pay-per-view sales, with the streaming platform reportedly believing the UFC was not fulfilling its agreement.
UFC says goodbye to pay-per-view model
For years, the UFC’s marquee numbered events have been available only on pay-per-view, with fans paying $79.99 per event. Additionally, subscribers need an active ESPN+ or ESPN bundle (with Disney+ or Hulu) to purchase the PPV events.
However, from 2026 onwards, UFC is abandoning the pay-per-view model. The deal signed with Paramount allows the media company to offer all live events to Paramount+ users at no additional cost.
The shift away from the pay-per-view model will make UFC events more affordable, thereby attracting more fans to the sport.
Paramount+ will hike subscription prices
UFC fans are undoubtedly pleased that the promotion will no longer include expensive pay-per-view events. However, for existing Paramount+ customers, UFC coming on to the platform means a price hike.
When the UFC-Paramount+ deal became public, there were speculations that the streaming platform would hike its prices. The price hike has since been confirmed, with David Ellisson, Paramount’s CEO, announcing that the company will increase subscription prices in 2026.
One of the reasons Ellison used to justify the price hike is the inclusion of UFC on Paramount+:
“Approximately one pay-per-view [event], you basically can access all of the UFC across Paramount+. So, from that standpoint, we think it’s a great value for consumers.”
According to Deadline, the subscription prices for the ad-supported and ad-free Paramount+ plans will increase by $1 each, to $8.99 and $13.99 per month, respectively. The new prices will go into effect on January 15, 2026.
What does UFC leaving ESPN+ mean for fans and the MMA industry?
UFC leaving ESPN+ will impact subscribers, the MMA promotion, and the streaming industry in several ways.
For ESPN+, the move means that subscribers will miss out on valuable live sports content. Some UFC fans who have been on ESPN+ are likely to move to Paramount+, but loyal subscribers might still stay on the platform.
However, ESPN+ (and its subscribers) have a consolation prize: the platform will be WWE’s exclusive home starting in 2026.
UFC leaving ESPN+ for Paramount+ will also make the MMA promotion more affordable and accessible. Beginning in 2026, UFC fans will be able to stream live events without coughing up extra for pay-per-view.
Additionally, some events will be available on CBS, which is a free-to-air channel. Therefore, the UFC-Paramount+ deal is likely to increase UFC’s fan base.
Lastly, having UFC on Paramount+ will give the MMA promotion and its fighters greater exposure, something Dana White called a significant victory.
“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,” posted the UFC CEO on X.
Dana White’s sentiments were also echoed by TKO Holdings, Inc. COO, Mark Shapiro, with the executive stating:
“Our new agreement unlocks powerful opportunities at TKO for years to come – meaningful economics for investors; expanded premium inventory for global brand partners; and deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fanbase. Just as importantly, our athletes will love this new stage.