UFC announces new broadcaster and it will impact how you watch the biggest fights

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Your help makes all of the distinction. Learn extra The UFC has lastly introduced its new broadcaster for 2026 and onwards, having signed with Paramount+ as its cope with ESPN involves an finish.

For months, the UFC – the flagship promotion in combined martial arts – had been anticipated to announce its subsequent broadcast companion, with stories suggesting that the corporate would half methods with ESPN. The UFC signed with ESPN in 2018 and commenced a partnership in 2019, however their contract expires this yr.

It was thought by some that the UFC may find yourself on Netflix, given the streaming platform is the primary world broadcaster of WWE – the skilled wrestling behemoth that's basically the UFC’s sister firm beneath possession group TKO. Mockingly, the WWE simply signed a broadcast deal for ESPN to indicate sure occasions going ahead.

Nevertheless, UFC president Dana White wrote on X/Twitter on Monday (11 August): “Breaking Information, UFC has a brand new dwelling in 2026 solely on @paramountplus.”

The American, 56, hooked up a press release confirming the top of the UFC’s pay-per-view mannequin as a part of this new deal. The assertion additionally mentioned CBS, a cable community within the US, will present sure fights.

The assertion learn: “This historic cope with Paramount and CBS is unimaginable for UFC followers and our athletes. For the primary time ever, followers within the US may have entry to all UFC content material with out a Pay-Per-View mannequin.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/31/7/37/GettyImages-1396035214.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/31/7/37/GettyImages-1396035214.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/31/7/37/GettyImages-1396035214.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="UFC president Dana White" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

UFC president Dana White (Getty Pictures) open picture in gallery

Khamzat Chimaev (proper) will headline UFC 319 this weekend (AFP by way of Getty Pictures) “[This makes] it extra reasonably priced and accessible to view the best fights on a large platform. This deal places UFC amongst the largest sports activities on the earth. The publicity offered by Paramount and CBS networks beneath this new construction is a large win for our athletes and anybody who watches and loves this sport.”

Per a press launch, Paramount has acquired the UFC broadcast rights in a seven-year cope with a mean annual worth of $1.1bn.

Additionally per that launch, 2026 is ready to function 13 numbered occasions (beforehand pay-per-view occasions, for instance UFC 317, 318, 319) and 30 Struggle Night time occasions.

TNT Sports activities is at present the UFC’s UK broadcaster and is offered via discovery+, and it's understood that Monday’s announcement is not going to have an effect on UK viewers.