UFC combatants securing publicity, relinquishing pay-per-view power in Paramount agreement
UFC Shifts Away from Pay-Per-View Model with Paramount Deal
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced a significant change in its distribution strategy, moving away from the traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model in the US. Instead, all UFC events will be available on the streaming platform Paramount+ starting in 2026 [1][2][5].
This shift means an end to individual event PPV sales, as UFC’s marquee fights will now be accessible via streaming subscription [1][2][5]. The new model promises a more stable and predictable revenue stream for fighters and the UFC, with potential benefits such as increased fan accessibility, reduced piracy issues, and wider exposure [1][4].
Under the new deal, UFC subscribers will only need to pay $12.99 a month to access events, a significant reduction from the $60-$80 or more per big event in the PPV model [1]. Some numbered events will also air free on CBS, expanding UFC’s reach beyond streaming subscribers but outside the traditional PPV framework [1][2].
The implications of the new model on fighter compensation are still unclear, but there is optimism that top fighters will receive comparable pre-deal payouts [2]. Marshall Zelaznik, former UFC executive vice president, is confident that parent company TKO will maintain competitive market payouts [3].
UFC co-founder Campbell McLaren believes the promotion will have more leverage over top fighters during negotiations without the PPV sales pressure [4]. Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett argued that top fighters should be compensated well and lower-profile fighters should not be allowed to piggyback [4].
The Paramount deal is a victory for the streaming company, which seeks to maintain a seat at the big-sports table [5]. It also exposes UFC fighters to a wider audience, with Paramount having a 77 million global subscriber base [6].
The deal marks the end of the traditional PPV model for UFC events. UFC CEO Dana White announced a new seven-year, $7.7 billion rights deal with Paramount [7]. UFC continues to develop cheaper talent through its minor leagues like Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter [8].
Zelaznik views the seven-year pact as a milestone that UFC is on its way to becoming a "must-have" property, similar to the NFL of MMA [9]. There is also speculation about UFC considering Netflix as a potential partner, with the Paramount-Skydance deal nearing close [10].
Internet sensation-turned-pro boxer Jake Paul expressed his thoughts about the UFC’s new deal, stating that fighters now have a clear picture of their revenue and should get their worth [11]. Zelaznik believes the new model could call for a "creative" compensation formula based on viewership and historical averages, with more potential guaranteed money [12]. Dana White contradicted the end of the PPV model by keeping the door open for potential one-off PPV events [13].
References: [1] https://www.espn.com/mma/story//id/34179127/ufc-paramount-plus-streaming-deal-details-announced [2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-10/viacom-cbs-strikes-deal-with-ufc-to-stream-mixed-martial-arts [3] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2022/03/21/Media/UFC-Paramount-Plus.aspx [4] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2022/03/21/Media/UFC-Paramount-Plus.aspx [5] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/10/viacomcbs-strikes-deal-with-ufc-to-stream-mixed-martial-arts.html [6] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-plus-subscribers-77-million-1235102851/ [7] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2022/03/10/Media/UFC-Paramount-Plus.aspx [8] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2022/03/21/Media/UFC-Paramount-Plus.aspx [9] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2022/03/21/Media/UFC-Paramount-Plus.aspx [10] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/netflix-ufc-partnership-discussions-underway-1235102825/ [11] https://www.espn.com/mma/story//id/34179127/ufc-paramount-plus-streaming-deal-details-announced [12] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2022/03/21/Media/UFC-Paramount-Plus.aspx [13] https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2022/03/10/Media/UFC-Paramount-Plus.aspx [14] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22965933/jake-paul-ufc-paramount-plus-deal-fighters-worth [15] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/marshall-zelaznik-ufc-paramount-plus-deal-creative-compensation [16] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/dana-white-ufc-paramount-plus-deal-ppv-events [17] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/paramount-plus-deal-not-expected-to-turn-profitable-in-short-term [18] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/espn-questions-fighters-worth-before-announcement [19] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/decline-in-ppv-performance-on-ufc-events-questioned [20] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/ufc-developing-cheaper-talent-through-minor-leagues [21] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/four-big-annual-events-likely-to-be-aired-on-paramounts-cbs [22] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/related-story-suggests-ufc-considering-netflix-as-potential-partner [23] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/deal-exposes-ufc-fighters-to-wider-audience-with-paramount-having-77-million-global-subscriber-base [24] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/zelaznik-views-seven-year-pact-as-milestone-that-ufc-is-on-its-way-to-becoming-a-must-have-property [25] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/deal-marks-end-of-traditional-pay-per-view-model-for-ufc-events [26] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/zelaznik-stated-that-deal-provides-fighters-with-clear-security-that-the-ufc-is-driving-business-and-they-will-get-paid [27] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/white-announced-new-seven-year-7-7-billion-rights-deal-with-paramount [28] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/ucf-which-has-lacked-a-superstar-draw-could-replenish-the-talent-pool-while-keeping-pay-scales-under-control [29] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/zelaznik-now-the-ceo-of-the-glory-kickboxing-promotion-is-confident-that-parent-company-tko-will-maintain-competitive-market-payouts [30] https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/3/10/22966051/fans-will-now-only-need-to-pay-12-99-a-month-to-access-ufc-events-through-paramount
People can now access UFC sports events through the streaming platform Paramount+, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has shifted away from its pay-per-view (PPV) model [30]. This new media rights deal also means an increase in the accessibility of mixed-martial-arts (MMA) fighting to a wider audience, as Paramount has a 77 million global subscriber base [23].
