UFC Pay-Per-View Is Dead (Sort Of): What Paramount’s New Deal Means for Fight Fans
For years, fight fans have known the monthly ritual of shelling out a hefty sum to watch UFC pay-per-view (PPV) events. That era is now officially ending, thanks to the new UFC-Paramount media rights agreement.
Starting in 2026, Paramount+ will distribute the UFC’s entire fight lineup in the U.S. The move comes as part of a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal that, most importantly for fans, replaces the traditional PPV model.
So what does this massive TV shake-up actually mean for your fight nights and your wallet? While UFC CEO Dana White has left the door open for “one-off” superfights, the regular PPV setup for the UFC’s numbered events is over. I’ve broken down every angle of the new deal below to get you the answers you need before the first bell rings.
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What is the new UFC-Paramount deal?
In one of its first major moves under new ownership, Paramount inked the long-term deal with TKO Group to make Paramount+ the exclusive U.S. home of the UFC.
The agreement, which runs through the end of 2032, gives the streaming service all 43 of the MMA promotion’s annual live slate. That includes 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Nights. As a bonus, select UFC events will also simulcast on CBS, making them accessible for free with an over-the-air antenna.
But the deal doesn’t cover everything under the UFC umbrella just yet. Fan favorites like Dana White’s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter weren’t part of the initial agreement. As a casual UFC viewer, I’m hoping Paramount scoops up those rights, too, so fans get the full UFC experience on Paramount+.
Fortunately, there’s reason for optimism on that front. Paramount has already revealed it’s eyeing international UFC rights, which illustrates the company’s ambition.
Breaking News 🚨UFC has a new home in 2026 only on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/FUQjemPnBS
— danawhite (@danawhite) August 11, 2025
Does this mark the end of the PPV era?
The days of seeing a stacked UFC numbered card and immediately sighing at the $79.99 price tag on ESPN+ are coming to an end. Beginning this January, Paramount+ will include those numbered events at no extra cost.
This is a huge win for discoverability and a direct shot across the bow of the sketchy illegal streams that have plagued the sport for years. But this isn’t a total knockout for the PPV model itself. As White told the New York Post, “Pay-per-view is not dead.” The door remains open if the right situation arises. (Like a headline-grabbing event at the White House, perhaps?)
Other combat sports promotions still rely on the PPV model on platforms like DAZN. But the UFC’s move to Paramount+ and Netflix’s push into the big-fight business signal a clear shift in the sports landscape. The biggest fights are now becoming part of our standard streaming subscriptions, which could make future PPVs feel like more significant, can’t-miss events.
Can you still watch UFC on ESPN?
You can continue watching all UFC shows and events on ESPN’s platforms through the end of 2025, as the current broadcast deal continues until then. That means you’ll still find Fight Nights on ESPN channels and marquee PPVs on ESPN+. In fact, Season 9 of Dana White’s Contender Series just debuted on ESPN+, so there’ll still be plenty of action on the platform for the rest of this year.
Once the calendar flips to 2026, the UFC’s time on ESPN is over. Don’t feel too bad for the Worldwide Leader, though. The company acquired WWE Premium Live Events for 2026 onward and will continue to air Professional Fighters League (PFL) events.
My take: A new era for combat sports on TV
So, what does this all boil down to? From my perspective, this deal is an undeniable win for sports fans. No more debating if a fight card is worth the $80 price tag; if you have Paramount+, you’re in. Of course, that just means Paramount+ will be a non-negotiable, must-have service.
What makes this move particularly fascinating is the recent history. It wasn’t long ago that Paramount was in the Bellator MMA business before the PFL acquired that promotion. For Paramount to now make a bet on the UFC shows a massive strategic shift and an enormous commitment to live sports under its new ownership.
Ultimately, I see this as another major nail in the coffin for the traditional PPV model. This deal, along with Netflix’s recent moves in boxing, is the new reality of the streaming wars. The biggest live events are now the ultimate weapons in the battle for subscribers, and PPVs are the latest casualty.
