UFC boss, Dana White, unveils four key tournaments in collaboration with Paramount.
UFC Announces Four Flagship Tournaments for 2026, Headlined by Top Stars
Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has revealed plans for four flagship tournaments featuring top UFC stars, with potential lineups including marquee names like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones. These tournaments are part of a strategic effort to elevate UFC’s status as a leading sport globally and to create highly anticipated, large-scale events yearly.
The tournaments will form part of a new broadcast strategy starting in 2026. The UFC has secured a massive rights deal with Paramount, which covers all UFC events on Paramount+ with select ones simulcast on CBS. All 13 numbered UFC events will be broadcast on Paramount+.
Dana White has conveyed ambitions of making the UFC one of the top sports properties globally, rivaling leagues like the NFL and NBA, leveraging these flagship tournaments as key building blocks toward that goal. The fighters mentioned to potentially headline or be prominently featured in these tournaments include Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, representing some of the biggest draw cards the UFC currently has and expects to showcase in major events.
The first marquee UFC event under this new broadcast arrangement is planned for July 4, 2026, at the White House South Lawn to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary. This marks an unprecedented and symbolic venue and occasion for UFC’s flagship events. No other flagship tournaments' dates were mentioned.
In addition to these flagship tournaments, some UFC numbered events will also be simulcast on CBS. However, Dana White did not provide any further details about the involvement of top UFC stars in the flagship tournaments or the participation of Conor McGregor and Jon Jones in any upcoming events.
Dana White is currently focused on upcoming events, including the Contender Series and UFC 289. Despite this, he expressed a desire to create spectacular shows with Paramount and CBS, hinting at the involvement of top UFC stars in the flagship tournaments.
Notably, there is no off-season in UFC according to Dana White, suggesting it remains without a break. This move aims to significantly boost UFC’s mainstream profile and global sports standing.
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