TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE, has revealed a landmark media rights deal for UFC pay-per-view events. This announcement coincides with WWE securing ESPN as the platform for its premium live events starting in 2026. According to a press release from August 11, 2025, Paramount will be the exclusive broadcaster for UFC in the United States beginning in 2026. Paramount will air all UFC numbered events and fight nights on CBS and stream them live on Paramount+. This new agreement marks a departure from UFC’s traditional pay-per-view approach, allowing Paramount+ subscribers access to these premium events at no extra cost, aiming to boost accessibility and subscriber growth for the streaming service.
The seven-year deal, valued at an average of $1.1 billion annually, will also extend UFC’s reach beyond the US in the future. UFC CEO Dana White emphasized the significance of this deal, noting it increases affordability for fans and enhances the sport’s visibility on a broader platform. The UFC, a global MMA leader, hosts around 43 live events annually, reaching millions of fans worldwide through various media platforms. TKO’s CEO Ariel Emmanuel praised the partnership as a major milestone, anticipating growth through enhanced storytelling and technology. Notably, TKO recently appointed Sana Shuaib as Senior Vice President of Partnership Marketing & Digital.
Fan Take: This groundbreaking UFC media deal highlights WWE’s growing influence as its parent company pivots to major broadcasting partnerships, showing how combat sports are evolving in media distribution. For WWE fans, this shift means more accessible, high-profile fight content while hinting at future cross-promotional opportunities that could elevate the sport’s global popularity.
