UFC Negotiating Potential Television Agreement, Aiming for Annual Revenue of Over $1 Billion
May 15, 2025, 3:44h.
Last updated on May 15, 2025, 3:44h.
Get ready for some octagon action as Merab Dvalishvili faces off against Sean O'Malley in a bantamweight title bout at UFC 316 on June 7 at Prudential Center, Newark. But there's more heat than meets the eye—rumors swirl that the UFC is aiming for a jaw-dropping $1 billion per year in a fresh broadcast rights deal.
Buzzing About Topuria versus Oliveira
Let's talk star power and premium content—things broadcasters are foaming at the mouth to grab and squeeze cash out of. TKO Group Holdings President and COO Mark Shapiro hinted at that during a J.P. Morgan Global, Technology, Media and Communications conference on Tuesday, stating that while money matters, the brand's best interests will play a decisive role in the network the UFC selects[En1].
Shapiro mentioned discussions with numerous networks and streaming platforms eager to nab the UFC's broadcast rights. UFC stars often grace ESPN programming, opening up marketing opportunities that extend well beyond the Octagon[1].
DraftKings odds for Saturday's title face-offs: Dvalishvili is -380, O'Malley is +300. UFC 316 also features champion Julianna Pena versus Kayla Harrison in a women's bantamweight title fight, with Harrison as the odds-on favorite at -575 (Pena is at +425)[1].
Topuria Wants Makhachev
All eyes are on Ilia Topuria versus Charles Oliveira, now set for UFC 317 on June 28 at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas for the lightweight championship[1]. UFC CEO Dana White also revealed that Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev will battle for the middleweight title at UFC 319 on Aug. 16 at the United Center, Chicago[1].
Topuria initially sought a showdown with pound-for-pound men's top-ranked UFC fighter Islam Makhachev, who relinquished the lightweight title to pursue a second belt against Jack Della Maddalena at an undetermined date[1].
"It was the fight everyone wanted to see. I was willing to do it. He is the biggest hypocrite I have ever seen," Topuria fired back in a recent rant[1].
Odds and Ends
Topuria leads the betting rankings at DraftKings at -345, with Oliveira at +275. Chimaev currently stands at -198 at DraftKings, with Du Plessis at +164[1].
Controversy, personality, buzz, and drama attract attention—and lots of it—which is what broadcasters will concentrate on while hammering out a fresh deal with the UFC.
From a betting perspective, UK-based BetVictor trader Mark Collier shared insights on the impact of star power on UFC betting odds. In Montreal, Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad to win the welterweight belt and is now preparing to defend it against Makhachev[1]. In Collier's opinion, the current elite fighters, Alex Perreira and Paddy Pimblett, have higher betting numbers than typical PPVs. Could you imagine if Paddy Pimblett snagged a title fight in Liverpool? Numbers might rival those of legendary fighters like Jon Jones or Conor McGregor[1].
Topuria's popularity brings in higher betting numbers than most recent champions, Collier noted. Collier assumes the victor of UFC 317 will eventually face Pimblett later in 2025, and there's no love lost between the two after social media feuds[1]. Topuria's performance and impact on betting numbers have more to do with the opponent or trash talk preceding the event[1].
The 'glam and glitz' around these fighters boost betting interest, Collier stated, more so than a fighter like Makhachev, whose performance style some fans find boring[1]. "To counterbalance this, a different type of fan finds comfort in this approach, so bet with the knowledge that Makhachev is likely to stick to his fighting style," he advised[1].
Negotiations surrounding the UFC's future broadcast rights deal are heating up, with significant changes afoot. Stay tuned for further updates!
[1] https://www.mmafighting.com/[2] https://www.espn.com/mma/[3] https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/33914014/inside-ufcs-search-billions-annual-broadcast-deal[4] https://www.ticketsales.com/[5] https://www.cnbc.com/
Enrichment Data:
- Broadcast Rights Deal: UFC's current deal with ESPN ends in 2026, and the UFC aims to secure a new contract worth $1 billion annually. Negotiations are ongoing with Disney, Netflix, and Amazon as potential bidders.
- Star Power Impact: The UFC's star power, such as Merab Dvalishvili, Julianna Pena, Kayla Harrison, and upcoming stars like Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett, drives increases in betting interest, ticket sales, and overall fame.
- Makhachev's Style: Pound-for-pound Makhachev features a high-IQ fighting style that some fans find less exciting than other fighters. However, his style tends to be more effective, resulting in some dangerous variables for bookies.
- Buffering the Negotiations: High-profile fighters like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor have negotiated massive contracts in the past, acting as buffers for the new deal's negotiations. Paddy Pimblett, with his rising popularity, could similar results in the future.
Sports fans, mark your calendars! Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria are set for a thrilling lightweight championship match at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025. Meanwhile, betting odds enthusiasts can keep an eye on the contest, with Topuria currently leading the DraftKings rankings at -345, while Oliveira stands at +275. As negotiations heat up for the UFC's potential $1 billion per year broadcast rights deal, stars like Oliveira and Topuria add excitement to the sports world.
