UFC to leave ESPN, moves to Paramount+

[R-Troop]

UFC announced today that they are moving to Paramount+ at the conclusion of their deal with ESPN in 2026.

Numbered shows will be on Paramount+, No Pay-Per-View, they'll just be part of the subscription. Select shows will be on CBS.

 

[R-Troop]

Still surprised as Paramount seemingly came out of nowhere as a candidate, yet alone the winner of the race.

Apparently the deal is work $7.7 Billion over 7 years (AAV of $1.1B per year payout weighted towards the back of the deal) and I think it's exclusive. I have yet to see if this includes the library, or if it is just the new events. For that money I would think it would include the library as well as secondary programming. TUF moving to Paramount Network would be apropos, given Paramount Network used to be Spike TV (Where TUF got started and had it's greatest success).

UFC has been another company that has consistently moved networks. It had the deal with Spike TV when it first started getting popular, then they had the Fox deal, then ESPN, and now Paramount.

UFC And Paramout Reach Huge TV Rights Deal - Fightful | WWE News, AEW News, Pro Wrestling Backstage News

TKO and Paramount have announced that UFC numbered and Fight Night events will air on Paramount+ beginning in 2026.

www.fightful.com

 

[Deadd2009]

This is probably why ESPN went after WWE. Like Peacock wasnt ready to get a new deal done so WWE said fuck em.