The UFC announced yesterday (August 11, 2025) a historic $7.7 billion, seven-year exclusive broadcasting deal with Paramount+, starting in January 2026. This is a huge change that will impact the future of combat sports. This deal not only moves the UFC away from its long-standing pay-per-view (PPV) model, but it also makes Paramount+ the only place in the U.S. where people can stream all UFC events.
This collaboration is one of the most lucrative in sports media history. It marks a big change in strategy for both the UFC’s content distribution and Paramount’s plans for the streaming market. The agreement is expected to have big effects on the sports and entertainment industries because it includes CBS broadcast simulcasts and puts more focus on making things easier to access.
Inside the Deal: Numbers, Rights, and Access
The UFC–Paramount+ media rights deal is worth $7.7 billion over seven years, or around $1.1 billion a year. As part of the contract, Paramount+ will be the only place to stream all 43 UFC events that happen every year, such as
- 13 premium numbered events (formerly known as PPVs)
- 30 UFC Fight Night events
- Additional UFC shows and exclusive content
Also, some numbered events will be shown live on CBS, which will be the UFC’s first appearance on U.S. broadcast television. This could greatly expand the sport’s popularity.
This contract gets rid of the pay-per-view model for UFC’s biggest events, which is probably the most important thing about it. Fans will no longer have to pay $79.99 each event. Instead, they can get all UFC programming with a Paramount+ subscription, which starts at $8 per month with advertisements or $13 per month without ads.
(Jeff Bottari via Getty Images)
Why the UFC Moved to Streaming
The UFC’s choice to switch completely to a subscription-based streaming model is in line with bigger changes in the world of sports media. As people watch more on-demand, platform-integrated content, traditional pay-per-view (PPV) has grown less efficient at drawing in loose consumers and keeping them interested.
Paramount+, which is now part of Skydance Media under CEO David Ellison, has made it plain that premium live sports will be a big part of its programming strategy. The UFC’s 43-event annual schedule gives the platform a steady stream of programming all year long, which is great for keeping subscribers and increasing their lifetime value.
Ellison called the UFC a “unicorn sports property” because it has a passionate fan following, appeals to people all around the world, and fits with the core streaming demographics, especially people between the ages of 18 and 34. The deal makes Paramount more competitive with big streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and ESPN+.
A New Era for UFC Fans
The new deal has significant implications on UFC fans. Without pay-per-view prices, it will be far cheaper to get into the promotion’s most popular events. Fans who used to pay more than $800 a year for pay-per-view events may now watch all of the UFC content with a regular streaming subscription.
Putting all of UFC’s content on one easy-to-use platform makes it easier to watch. Fans won’t have to deal with different platforms or complicated PPV ordering methods anymore. All UFC content, such as live events, archives, and new original programming, will be available on Paramount+.
Adding CBS broadcast simulcasts makes it even more accessible. The organization can reach people who don’t subscribe to streaming services by showing four major UFC events a year on free-to-air TV. This could be a big reason for the brand to grow and become more relevant in contemporary society.
Impact on Revenue and Fighter Compensation
The end of the PPV model brings up questions regarding how the UFC will make money in the future. Subscription-based platforms can make money over time by bringing in money on a regular basis, but they usually don’t make as much money per event as big pay-per-view purchases. In the past, big UFC events have made millions of dollars in a single night from PPV sales.
To make up for this change, the UFC and Paramount+ will have to work hard to get more subscribers as well as retain viewers. The platform’s larger catalog of entertainment, along with the regular schedule of UFC events, is intended to keep users coming back.
The new model might also change how fighters are paid. With the PPV system, big-name fighters often got a cut of the event’s sales, which made them a lot more money. The UFC hasn’t said anything about the details yet, but it’s likely that they will look into new incentive systems based on subscriber performance, viewing data, or performance bonuses based on streaming.
Expanding to Broadcast Television
For the first time ever, CBS, a Paramount-owned network, will show the UFC on U.S. broadcast television on a regular basis. This part of the contract might make UFC more popular with the general public and bring the sport to people who wouldn’t normally watch MMA.
The first big CBS show is likely to happen on July 4, 2026, as part of a special celebration to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The UFC wants to hold a card on the grounds of the White House, which will symbolically and tactically connect it with a wide audience across the country.
This technique for broadcasting is similar to what other sports leagues do, where premium material is used to get people to sign up for streaming services and chosen events are shown on free-to-air platforms to reach as many people as possible.
A Pivotal Moment for UFC and Sports Streaming
The UFC’s $7.7 billion media rights contract with Paramount+, which was revealed yesterday, is more than just a license arrangement; it’s a big change in strategy. The UFC is setting itself up for long-term development, more fan engagement, and more cultural relevance simply by getting rid of pay-per-view, switching to a subscription model, and moving into broadcast television.
There are still questions with making the most money and paying fighters fairly, but the overall trajectory points to a new era for both mixed martial arts and how people watch live sports in the digital age. The UFC is once again leading the way with this initiative, which could change the way things are done in the industry.
