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It appears that there are more UFC media rights deals up for the taking among streaming giants than was initially thought. Paramount+ inherited the 30 fight night grind initially, and then the 13 annual PPV offerings in an exclusive 48-hour negotiation window. Now, UFC Fight Pass is up for grabs, and ESPN seems like a good spot.
It was only a week ago that Paramount and CBS revealed a seven-year, $7.7 billion agreement to broadcast all of the UFC’s live events. No extra charge will be required for numbered UFC events on Paramount+, thus altering the previously prominent pay-per-view (PPV) viewing model.
The annual revenue for UFC goes up to $1.1B with the new deal, while ESPN paid $500 million annually. PPV sales were down in recent times, with price hikes and measly product setup being big reasons not to stay on. However, ESPN is reportedly in talks to acquire UFC Fight Pass, according to the MMA Draw’s Blake Avignon (@bobby_s_axelrod) on socials.
Negotiations are still ongoing for fight programs like ‘The Ultimate Fighter‘, Road to UFC, and Contender Series (DWCS). Also up for grabs are the rights for the Zuffa LLC Boxing, the boxing division of parent company TKO, under Saudi GEA didactics
The UFC Fight Pass holds the entire fight media library of previous fights as well. All the fights from many promotions that were purchased by the UFC over the years are also included, such as PRIDE FC, WEC, and Strikeforce, among others. In addition, Fight Pass offers a variety of live MMA events from regional promotions and grappling events, such as Fight Pass Invitational (FPI), Polaris, and CJJW.
BREAKING: @ESPN is in active talks to acquire UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass), multiple sources confirm. The plan is to fold the archive and select live content into ESPN’s new DTC app. Discussions are advanced but not finalized, with ESPN also eyeing the #WWEVault. pic.twitter.com/LHVzFhlLsB
— Blake “Axe” Avignon (@bobby_s_axelrod) August 22, 2025
UFC payment-only webcast/private simulcast used to be up on Fight Pass around a month after the actual events aired. Might it become the place to watch replays of premium live events shortly after airing yet again?
Along with the latest installments of those and UFC fights on Paramount+, all recent events could end up on ESPN. The $80 cost control was a bit steep, and perhaps now, the cost for the media library will be a lot less than the previously priced $29.99 pay package.
WWE inked massive deal with ESPN despite UFC broadcast deal expiring in the frame
For avid sports enthusiasts, UFC Fight Pass content could serve as a salve for forking over such a substantial sum. Otherwise, one will no longer be able to pay $9.99 a month to watch old fights on Fight Pass media archives.
Along with ESPN/ESPN+ cost controls, streaming technology had its issues. TKO Group Holdings president Mark Shapiro nudged that aggressive pricing models and low quality were a big reason for their rift and why fans were opting for pirated streams. Safe to say, there were issues.
There is no stone will, saying ESPN Unlimited will be better if they inherit the UFC’s grind. However, one thing working in favor is that sister company WWE inked an exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights with ESPN for its Premium Live Events (PLEs).
The five-year deal, valued at a staggering $1.6 billion (or about $325 million per year), will begin in 2026 and represents a substantial increase from WWE’s current $180 million yearly agreement. The upcoming direct-to-consumer (DTC) platform will stream marquee WWE events, with a launch scheduled for August 21, 2025, at a monthly subscription of $29.99. ESPN’s cable channels will also simulcast select PLEs, ensuring that wrestling fans can access the content easily.
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