With the UFC’s $1.5 billion, seven-year broadcasting deal with ESPN approaching its final year, questions about the promotion’s next media partner are heating up. Now that UFC’s exclusive negotiation window with ESPN has officially closed, all eyes are on what comes next — though the organization is keeping its cards close to the chest, the speculation across the MMA world is louder than ever.
Streaming giants Netflix and Amazon have emerged as strong contenders, but Netflix has taken the lead in recent discussions. Analysts point to two key advantages: Netflix’s vast global reach and its newly formed relationship with WWE, another TKO Group Holdings property, through Monday Night Raw. With both UFC and WWE operating under the TKO umbrella, many believe this corporate synergy could tip the scales in Netflix’s favor.
Insiders suggest that the UFC is targeting a broadcasting deal worth around $1 billion per year — a massive leap from its current agreement. That steep asking price is one reason Netflix has surfaced as a likely suitor, with its deep pockets and international footprint aligning with UFC’s global ambitions.
Still, not everyone is convinced that UFC will completely shift to a new platform. Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub recently cast doubt on the idea that Dana White & Co. would walk away from their time-tested pay-per-view model.
“UFC is going to be all over, but you’ll get those Fight Nights — some of those Fight Nights — on Netflix. And then, don’t get it twisted — the UFC is a proven pay-per-view success. They have a business model they would never [abandon],” Schaub said.
His comments suggest the UFC may be eyeing a hybrid approach, similar to the NFL’s groundbreaking $110 billion media deal in 2021, which involved more than half a dozen media companies. Under such a model, UFC could distribute its content across multiple platforms — keeping its lucrative pay-per-views with ESPN while offering other events like Fight Nights through Netflix or a different partner. This theory gained further traction following a recent report from CNBC’s senior media journalist Alex Sherman, who wrote:
“ESPN still wants UFC rights, but not for the mixed martial arts league’s roughly $1 billion per year asking price. ESPN currently pays about $600 million for UFC, I’m told. That may lead to a situation where UFC splits its rights between multiple media partners.”
November 1, 2019 – New York, New York, USA: DANA WHITE and BMF belt during UFC 244 Weigh-in. UFC 244: Weigh-in – ZUMAs277 20191101_sha_s277_524 Copyright: xJasonxSilvax
Adding to the shake-up, ESPN made major waves this week with the announcement of its long-awaited direct-to-consumer streaming platform. The new service will offer access to all ESPN linear channels and will debut this fall. Disney will bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99/month during the first year, before raising the price to $35.99/month. With ESPN entering the streaming wars and UFC holding firm on its valuation, the future of their partnership remains uncertain.
Will the UFC stay exclusive, go hybrid, or strike a new kind of deal? Time will tell. For now, all eyes are on Dana White and the next big play from the UFC front office.
What’s Dana White’s stance on his relationship with ESPN?
ESPN has long been regarded as UFC’s premier broadcasting partner. Yet, in the fiercely competitive world of sports media, leagues like the NFL and NBA continue to secure massive billion-dollar deals with broadcasters. So how does a savvy businessman like Dana White maintain his edge, especially after locking in a $1.5 billion contract over five years? His appetite for growth remains as strong as ever. But it’s not just ambition driving him — the quality of ESPN’s service also plays a crucial role.
Tensions between Dana White and ESPN have surfaced at times. Fans faced significant issues buying pay-per-view events at UFC 304 last year and again at UFC 313 earlier this year, alongside blackout complaints and other technical problems. White openly acknowledged there was some “headbutting with ESPN” over these challenges.
Now, with the UFC poised to make key decisions about its broadcast future, the path forward remains uncertain. Although talks to renew the deal fell through last month, Dana White still voiced appreciation for ESPN. As he put it, “I don’t know. It depends on what ESPN—or wherever else we go—is looking for. Most of the time when you do these deals, you’re catering to what the network needs. Plus, they’ve got other programming, other sports they’re already committed to during certain times and seasons. It always changes. It doesn’t matter to me.”
What do you think lies ahead for the UFC and ESPN partnership? Will Dana White stick with the traditional pay-per-view model, or is a shift toward streaming platforms like Netflix on the horizon? Share your thoughts below.
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