UFC Nears TV Contract, Allegedly Pursuing Annual Revenue of Over $1 Billion
Rewritten Article:
Posted on: May 15, 2025, 03:44h.Last updated on: May 15, 2025, 03:44h.
Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley Face Off in UFC 316's Main Event
Get ready, fight fans! On June 7, UFC 316 returns to the Prudential Center, Newark, with a bang as Merab Dvalishvili takes on Sean O'Malley in a high-stakes bantamweight title bout. The UFC is reportedly in talks for a new broadcast right deal that could net them at least $1 billion a year.
Oliveira vs Topuria Bout Causes Stir
The UFC is a powerhouse of star power and premium content that broadcasters crave, and UFC 316 is no exception with its stacked lineup. The promotion's current deal with ESPN will expire at year's end, but TKO Group Holdings President and COO, Mark Shapiro, shared with J.P. Morgan Global, Technology, Media and Communications conference attendees that revenue isn't the only concern – they want a partnership that benefits the UFC brand.
Shapiro revealed that several networks and streaming providers have shown interest in securing UFC's broadcast rights. UFC stars often make appearances on ESPN programming, opening up lucrative marketing opportunities beyond just what happens inside the Octagon.
DraftKings lists Dvalishvili as the heavy favorite (-380) and O'Malley as the underdog (+300) for the title bout. UFC 316's main card also features a women's bantamweight title showdown between Julianna Pena and Kayla Harrison, with Harrison the clear favorite (-575) against Pena (+425).
Topuria Desires clash with Makhachev, Tears into Him
Lots of buzz surrounds the pending lightweight title match between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, penciled in for UFC 317 on June 28 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the date and location for a middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, set for August 16 at the United Center in Chicago.
Despite initially hoping for a tilt with Islam Makhachev, the top-ranked pound-for-pound UFC fighter, Topuria expressed frustration today, stating, "He's the biggest hypocrite I've ever seen."
Broadcast Rights and Betting Odds
The UFC's charisma, controversy, and buzz will all factor into their new broadcast deal negotiations, significantly impacting betting odds. Topuria is a strong betting favorite at -345 against Oliveira, who comes in at +275. Chimaev currently stands at -198, with Du Plessis at +164.
While betting was a given for the UFC 315 event in Montreal, UK-based BetVictor trader Mark Collier explained to Casino.org that the impact of star power on betting odds cannot be overlooked. In Montreal, Alex Perreira and Paddy Pimblett drew higher betting numbers due to their popularity compared to non-active events like Jon Jones or Conor McGregor.
With Topuria's last bout against Max Holloway generating higher betting numbers, and his potential bout with Charles Oliveira likely to follow suit, future possibilities against Paddy Pimblett could skyrocket the numbers even higher.
Pimblett Not Far Behind
From a betting standpoint, Topuria generates solid audience numbers, according to Collier. Assuming the winner of UFC 317 will face Pimblett later in 2025, there's no love lost between the two after previous social media exchanges.
[Topuria's] match against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 had reasonable turnover, indicating that his popularity might not be the sole driver of his audience numbers. However, his performance or impact on betting numbers is often influenced by his choice of opponents and the pre-event trash talk. There's no doubt that his fight with Charles Oliveira will generate similar numbers to his contest against Max Holloway, with future prospects against Paddy Pimblett promising to take numbers to unprecedented heights.
Glitz and Glamour vs Strategy
The high-energy atmosphere of UFC bouts draws bettors, while some find Makhachev's high-IQ fighting style boring. Collier advises bookmakers to manage their risks accordingly, as fighters like Khabib and Makhachev can prove dangerous variables.
"To counterbalance this, a different type of fan finds comfort in this approach, so bet aware that Makhachev is more likely to succeed in his unique fighting style," Collier warned. "Savvy bookies will realize that Makhachev, like Khabib, can spring unexpected decision or late submission victories, especially during his fights."
Ilia Topuria, with UFC betting odds of -345, is set to face Charles Oliveira in a much-anticipated lightweight title match, contributing to the UFC's star-studded and content-rich offerings that attract broadcasters. In the sports world, Topuria's future clash with Paddy Pimblett could potentially escalate betting numbers due to their ongoing rivalry and previous social media exchanges.
