The world of mixed martial arts is about to change in a big way. The UFC has just signed a huge seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount. This means that, starting in 2026, Paramount+ will be the only place in the U.S. where you can watch all UFC events. With this new agreement, the UFC will say goodbye to its long partnership with ESPN. It will also stop using the pay-per-view system that fans have known for so many years. In 2026, UFC on Paramount+.
This is great news for fans, as it will be easier and less expensive to watch UFC. The sport will reach more people than ever before. But what does this mean for people who love MMA? In this blog post, we will look into what the UFC on Paramount deal means for fans, fighters, and where MMA streaming could go next.
The End of an Era: UFC’s Move from ESPN to Paramount+
For a long time, the UFC has been with ESPN. People watch Fight Nights on ESPN+. They pay a lot for big UFC shows on pay-per-view. But this will change in 2026. The UFC made a deal with ESPN that pays about $550 million each year. That deal ends after 2025. After that, Paramount will take over. Paramount now owns rights to show all 43 UFC events each year. There are 30 Fight Nights and 13 big numbered events. You can watch these on Paramount+ and CBS.
This change is huge. The $7.7 billion deal means about $1.1 billion each year. This is almost double what the UFC made before from media rights. Even better, it gets rid of the pay-per-view model. For a long time, this extra cost has stopped many fans from watching. With Paramount+, people who sign up can watch every UFC event with no added fees. UFC CEO Dana White says this is great for both UFC fans and for their athletes.
Why Paramount+?
Paramount is working hard to get UFC because it wants to grow its streaming service, Paramount+. The service has 77.7 million subscribers, but there are bigger names like Netflix and Disney+. By bringing in UFC, Paramount hopes to get more people to sign up, keep them interested, and make the platform the number one place for live sports. The deal fits with the recent joining of Paramount and Skydance. David Ellison, the CEO, has made live sports a main part of what the company wants to do with streaming.
For the UFC, working with Paramount gives them a chance to be seen by even more people. Some of their big events will air at the same time on CBS. CBS is one of the most-watched networks in the country. This means more people in the US will get to watch MMA now. This step can help the sport stand with big leagues such as the NBA and MLB when it comes to how much the media wants it.
What the Pay-Per-View End Means for UFC Fans
Taking away the pay-per-view model is maybe the biggest part of the UFC on Paramount deal. For a long time, fans spent as much as $79.99 for each numbered event. That is on top of paying for an ESPN+ subscription. The cost for ESPN+ is $11.99 every month or $119.99 for the year. This double paywall has been a problem for fans. Many of them try to find other ways to watch, and piracy goes up at big events because of the high price.
With this new deal, Paramount+ will now have every UFC event. This includes both Fight Nights and main cards. If you get a Paramount+ subscription, you will be able to watch all these events. This should help fans save a lot of money. It might also change the way people in the United States watch MMA. Here’s what you need to know about it:
This change could help more people watch UFC content. It lets fans see big fights with stars like Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and new strong fighters. You do not have to spend a lot of money to see them. Dana White said, “This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world.”
How to Watch UFC on Paramount+ in 2026
Starting in 2026, Paramount+ will be the main place to watch UFC fights in the United States. You will be able to see every Fight Night and big event, and watch them when you want on Paramount+. Some of the big events will also be shown on CBS, so people who do not have Paramount+ can still watch without paying. This makes it easy for all fans to catch their favorite fights.
To get set for this change, here is how fans can get prepared:
While Paramount has not said if the UFC events will only be on the Premium plan, the price right now shows that it is much cheaper than paying for each fight on ESPN+. Fans should watch for news, because Paramount might change its subscription plans to fit the new UFC content coming in.
The Impact on UFC Fighters and the Sport
The UFC on Paramount deal is not just good news for fans. It is also a big help to fighters and the sport itself. The deal means that more people will see UFC fights because they will be on CBS and Paramount+. This can help UFC athletes get more known, bring them sponsors, and open up new chances. Dana White said it is a “huge win for our athletes.” He said this larger platform will show their skills to many more people.
Also, the $7.7 billion deal will bring in a lot of money for the UFC. This can help pay fighters more and make shows look better. It will also let the UFC make events that people enjoy even more. The UFC pays for its own shows so it can have a say in how the brand is seen. With this extra money, the UFC can make fight nights and ads even better.
For the sport of MMA, this deal helps the UFC stand out as one of the top names in sports around the world. With its media rights revenue getting close to that of Major League Baseball and the NBA, the UFC is now not just loved by a specific group, but by many people everywhere. The move to Paramount+ could help the UFC reach more people, since Paramount has said it might want to show UFC outside the U.S. in the future.
What’s Next for UFC and Paramount?
The UFC and Paramount have made a deal at an important time for the two companies. For Paramount, getting UFC rights is a strong step to help it stack up against streaming leaders like Netflix and Disney+. It will now show 43 live events each year. This, along with Paramount’s current shows and movies, makes the site a top choice for people who love sports.
For the UFC, this deal is the start of a new part in its long story. UFC began back in 1993 and has used pay-per-view to make money since then. Now, the move to a subscription model shows how what people like is changing. Streaming matters more in sports media now. Mark Shapiro, the president of TKO Group (which owns UFC), said that pay-per-view had become too expensive. On top of that, too many people were getting pirated streams, so they needed to try something new.
Comparing UFC on Paramount+ to Other Sports Media Deals
To help you see what the $7.7 billion deal means, let’s look at how it stacks up against other big sports media deals.
This shows how the UFC is starting to get more attention in the sports world. By working with Paramount, the UFC will be able to do well in the streaming market and keep its top spot as a big name in combat sports.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
While the UFC on Paramount deal is mostly good, there are still some things that could cause problems:
Even when you think about these things, the deal is still a good choice. This is because people get more from it, like better prices, easy access, and more people hearing about UFC. The good things are stronger than the problems. The UFC going to Paramount+ is a big move. It will help MMA be open to more people and be known by more people.
Conclusion: A New Era for UFC Fans
The UFC’s $7.7 billion deal with Paramount is a big moment for the sport. The UFC will now end the pay-per-view system. Events will move to Paramount+ and CBS. This is good for fans because they do not need to pay $80 for each event. You only need one subscription to watch all 43 events each year. This change helps fans save money and watch more fights.
Fighters will get more people to see them and may earn more money. The sport itself now has a way to become one of the biggest sports in the world.
Looking forward to 2026, the UFC on Paramount is set to bring fans exciting fights and great moments. There will be a new way for you to enjoy MMA. If you are someone who watches every fight or just tunes in now and then, this deal gives you a reason to be excited about where the UFC is going.
Are you set to join in the action? Sign up for Paramount+ now, so you can be one of the first to know about UFC’s new place in 2026. Keep an eye on our blog for the newest MMA news, fight times, and the latest updates as things change. Tell us what you think in the comments below-which thing are you most looking forward to seeing with UFC on Paramount+?
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