Paramount UFC Deal: In a game-changing move for fight fans, Paramount is set to become the exclusive home of all UFC events in the U.S., following a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with TKO Group announced on Monday.
The agreement will make Paramount+ the new streaming hub for UFC’s 13 major numbered events and 30 Fight Nights each year.
In a surprise twist, many of these top-tier matches — once costly pay-per-view events — will now be available at no extra cost to Paramount+ subscribers.
Some of the numbered events will even air on CBS, marking a massive boost in accessibility.
Paramount UFC Deal: UFC’s Pay-Per-View Era Comes to an End
According to the August 11 press release, this shift in distribution will “unlock greater accessibility and discoverability for sports fans” by removing the old PPV model entirely for U.S. viewers.
Paramount has also expressed interest in acquiring international UFC rights when they become available.
Financially, the deal is backend-weighted but will average $1.1 billion annually. This is Paramount’s biggest sports rights acquisition yet, signaling a strong push into live sports content.
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A New Chapter for Paramount & TKO
“I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark,” said David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount. “Rarely do opportunities arise to partner exclusively with a global sports powerhouse like UFC. Live sports are a cornerstone of our strategy — they drive engagement, subscriber growth, and loyalty.”
Ellison, whose Skydance recently merged with Paramount, called this his first major move in shaping the future of the combined company.
Paramount UFC Deal: TKO’s Big Win
For TKO, which owns both UFC and WWE, the deal cements UFC’s position as a global sports leader. “This is a milestone moment,” said Ariel Emanuel, TKO’s executive chair and CEO. “It’s an important realization of our strategy and a win for athletes, fans, and investors alike.”
TKO President Mark Shapiro added, “Our new agreement unlocks powerful opportunities — meaningful economics, expanded brand partnerships, and deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fanbase.”
The announcement comes shortly after ESPN’s $1.6 billion WWE deal for U.S. rights and Netflix’s acquisition of WWE’s international rights, marking a fierce battle among streaming giants for top sports content.
Sources
- Paramount official press release – August 11, 2025
- UFC & TKO Group joint announcement
- ESPN, Netflix sports rights agreements
This article was written by Anwar Hashmi. For feedback, collaborations, or inquiries, you can contact me at anwar@aavaz.in or connect on my Facebook page.