UFC Ends Pay-Per-View Era: Paramount+ Signs Historic $7.7 Billion Streaming Deal

By Ali Hammad August 12, 2025 10:08

In a groundbreaking shift for mixed martial arts, UFC has officially ended its longstanding pay-per-view (PPV) model in favor of a comprehensive streaming deal with Paramount+, marking a pivotal moment for the sport and its millions of fans. Announced on August 11, 2025, this historic seven-year agreement is valued at $7.7 billion and takes effect starting in 2026, making Paramount+ the exclusive U.S. home for all UFC events, including the marquee numbered pay-per-view cards and Fight Nights.

The deal represents an average annual value of approximately $1.1 billion, with payments weighted more toward the back end of the contract. It also includes select marquee UFC events simulcast on CBS, Paramount’s leading broadcast network, expanding the sport's reach to traditional TV audiences while firmly anchoring the UFC’s content within the Paramount+ streaming ecosystem.

Paramount+'s entry into UFC broadcasting marks a significant strategic move away from the ESPN+ platform, which has carried UFC events since 2019, including the PPV offerings. Under the new arrangement, UFC events that were traditionally purchased separately as PPVs—often costing upwards of $79.99 per event—will be available at no additional cost to Paramount+ subscribers. This paradigm shift is designed to enhance accessibility and broaden the sport’s audience, enabling fans to watch every UFC event as part of their subscription package without facing the PPV premium barrier.

David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, calling UFC “a global sports powerhouse” with immense cultural impact. Ellison underscored the pivotal role live sports play in driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty across Paramount’s linear and streaming platforms. “The addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win,” Ellison said, highlighting how the deal supports Paramount’s broad ambition to become a major player in live sports streaming.

UFC President Dana White also spoke highly of the next chapter in UFC broadcasting. On social media, White noted the expanded exposure to millions of fans through Paramount+ and CBS as “a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport.” The deal positions UFC alongside the biggest global sports properties and is expected to help grow MMA’s fanbase by removing barriers inherent in the PPV model.

The transition to a subscription-based streaming model reflects wider industry trends as media companies compete aggressively for live event content. Paramount, bolstered by its recent merger with Skydance Media and the leadership of Ellison, is betting big on UFC’s appeal to younger and digitally-engaged audiences. The agreement covers the full slate of approximately 43 UFC live events annually, delivering over 350 hours of live content to nearly 100 million U.S. fans.

Industry insiders reveal that this deal was negotiated swiftly, with final details coming together in just 48 hours after the Skydance-Paramount merger was announced. The comprehensive nature of the agreement has stunned many within the MMA community, including Dana White himself, who admitted he did not foresee such a rapid and transformative shift in UFC’s media rights landscape.

This landmark contract signals the end of an era dominated by traditional PPV sales in MMA and moves toward an all-access streaming future that could redefine how fans engage with UFC content. For viewers, this means seamless access to every big fight without the cost spikes of PPV, while for UFC and Paramount, it opens revenue opportunities tied to subscriber growth and broader advertising partnerships.

As the 2026 season approaches, fight fans should prepare to experience UFC like never before fully integrated into the streaming age with Paramount+ as the ultimate home for all the action inside the octagon.