Key Questions About the UFC’s $7.7 Billion Deal with CBS and Paramount

The UFC has just announced a major game-changer in the world of mixed martial arts: a whopping $7.7 billion deal with CBS and Paramount to bring all UFC content to Paramount+ and CBS. This means no more UFC pay-per-view events, as all UFC events, big and small, will now be available on Paramount+ starting in 2026. Not only that, but select events will also air on CBS. This deal is a big shift from the previous setup on ESPN, where fans had to shell out upwards of $80 for each numbered event.

What does this mean for the UFC, its fans, and its fighters? Here are three key questions to consider:

1. Who stands to gain the most (and the least) from saying goodbye to UFC pay-per-view events? In the past, pay-per-view sales were a huge part of the UFC’s revenue. Fighters also relied on pay-per-view revenue to boost their earnings, with top names like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey bringing in massive numbers of buys. However, in recent years, UFC pay-per-view sales have been on the decline for various reasons. Factors like a lack of big stars, rising prices, and the availability of free streaming options have all contributed to this decline. With this new broadcast deal, the UFC moves away from the uncertainty of pay-per-view revenue towards guaranteed income from broadcast partners. But what does this mean for the fighters who relied on pay-per-view cuts to boost their earnings?

The landscape of UFC broadcasting is changing, and this deal with CBS and Paramount is set to shake things up in the world of mixed martial arts. Stay tuned for more updates on how this game-changing move will impact the UFC, its fans, and its fighters.