UFC to be ‘flexible’ in upcoming broadcast rights deal, considering potential elimination of traditional PPV

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is gearing up for a potentially lucrative new broadcast rights deal once their current contract with ESPN expires in 2025. TKO Group Holdings president Mark Shapiro revealed that UFC has outgrown their current deal with ESPN, citing under-monetization despite the initial excitement of the record-breaking contract signed in 2018.

While UFC remains open to negotiating a new deal with ESPN, they are also exploring other potential partners. Shapiro mentioned that before signing with ESPN, UFC was close to a deal with Amazon, and now they are considering various options for their next broadcast rights deal starting in 2026.

One of the biggest revelations from Shapiro was the possibility of a future broadcast partner purchasing not only UFC’s television rights but also the entire pay-per-view package. This could mean that events like UFC 302 or Conor McGregor’s return at UFC 303 could be available on a streaming service as part of a monthly subscription, eliminating the need for additional pay-per-view fees.

Shapiro emphasized the premium content that UFC offers and the importance of finding the right partner to help grow their audience and brand globally. UFC is looking for a healthy marriage with their broadcast partners, offering flexibility and valuable programming to ensure mutual success.

As UFC prepares for a new era of broadcasting, the potential for innovative partnerships and new ways of delivering content to fans is on the horizon. Fans can expect exciting developments in the world of UFC broadcasting in the coming years.