Fighter Conor McGregor expresses his views on the recent $7.7 billion agreement between him and Paramount.
In a significant move for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the organisation has announced its transition to exclusive streaming on Paramount+, marking the end of the pay-per-view (PPV) era in the U.S. [1][5] This landmark seven-year, $7.7 billion deal abolishes traditional PPV, offering all UFC events through a $12.99 monthly subscription, making the sport more accessible and changing the UFC’s business model. [2]
The shift has been celebrated by former PPV king, Conor McGregor, who took to social media to mark the end of an era with a post featuring the top 5 PPV shows in UFC history – all of which were headlined by him. [1][5] McGregor remains the top UFC pay-per-view draw, with every one of the top 5 best-selling UFC PPVs attributed to him. [4] His UFC 229 fight generated a record-breaking 2.4 million buys, the highest for MMA, and his PPV dominance is unlikely to be matched given the move away from traditional PPV to streaming. [3][5]
The new model aims to expand the sport’s reach and grow the fan base by removing the cost barrier of individual PPV buys, which historically centered much of UFC's revenue and McGregor’s impact. [2][3] While McGregor has not fought in years, his PPV legacy cements him as a pivotal figure in UFC’s commercial history. With UFC events moving to Paramount+, revenue generation will rely on subscription and streaming metrics rather than single-event buys, fundamentally altering how future fighters' impact and financial success are measured compared to McGregor's PPV era dominance. [1][2][3]
McGregor's box office appeal was not diminished by his losses against Dustin Poirier, two of which are among the top 3 PPV events. [4] The Irishman headlined the most successful UFC events, and his social media post, "Long live the Irish king," and final caption, "Only McGregor," reflect his confidence and enduring influence. [1][6]
A potential new development in McGregor's career is a rumoured fight with Jones at a summer 2026 White House event. [7] However, this is not yet confirmed and no official announcement has been made.
References:
- UFC signs historic $7.5 billion deal with Paramount
- UFC signs $7.5 billion deal with Paramount Global, ending pay-per-view era in the U.S.
- UFC's historic deal with Paramount+ could change the sport's financial landscape
- Conor McGregor's UFC pay-per-view events
- Conor McGregor's UFC record stats
- Conor McGregor's social media post
- Conor McGregor potentially planning a fight with Jones at a summer 2026 White House event
Bookmakers are likely to reconsider their UFC betting odds with the shift to Paramount+, as the new business model relies on subscription and streaming metrics rather than pay-per-view sales. The move away from traditional PPV to streaming could affect the future of pay-per-view draws like Conor McGregor, who has dominated the UFC's PPV earnings in sports like mixed-martial-arts.
