The UFC brand has not only turned into the biggest in fight sports, but it has global recognition in some major markets. The company is a sports powerhouse that can offer unique content that caters to that all-important 18-49 demographic. That is why ESPN paid $1.5 billion in 2018 to secure the promotion’s media rights.
However, that contract ends next year, and after a disastrous stream of UFC 313 earlier this month, the New York Post reported recently that the era of UFC on ESPN will likely come to an end next year. So where could Fight Night and pay-per-views cards be airing next year?
Here are six platforms and networks that could make a hard push to land the UFC’s media rights once negotiations begin next month.
Netflix
Netflix is the early favorite to win the UFC media rights war. The company has been making a big push to acquire live sports programming. In 2024 they produced a pair of NFL games and the much-hyped Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight. They also have a $5 billion media deal with WWE — a sister promotion of the UFC under the TKO Group Holdings banner. They certainly have the funds to meet the company’s alleged hopes to land a deal worth a billion per year.
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FOX
The promotion’s first deal with a major network came with Fox. Many Fight Night cards aired on FS1 and FOX during the 2010s. The network is always willing to spend big on content that can bring in younger viewers. With their contract with WWE ending last year, they could throw some of that money at the UFC. A deal with FOX would also allow the promotion to keep using their PPV model as another source of revenue.
DAZN
DAZN has become one of the top platforms in media when it comes to boxing. They never seemed like a potential destination for UFC in the past. However, with promotion boss Dana White now working with Turki Alalsheikh on a new boxing promotion, the Saudi’s long relationship with DAZN could open the door to conversations. DAZN having both UFC and potentially White’s boxing promotion on the platform would make it the top brand in combat sports broadcasting.
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Amazon Prime Video
Another strong contender for the UFC’s media right will be Amazon Prime Video. The platform has expanded in a major way with the help of Thursday night NFL games. They have also broadcast MMA in the past when they had a relationship with cage fight promotion ONE Championship. They have the means and money to appeal to the UFC. And having their brand go alongside the NFL would greatly interest executives at Prime Video.
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Apple
Apple is always looking to grow its streaming platform. Their relationship with MLS greatly benefitted the brand and helped expand its subscribers. Getting the UFC would take things even further and be a huge help to keeping some subscribers since the promotion produces live content almost weekly. Of the contenders, they are probably near the back of the pack.
Warner Bros./Discovery
Warner Bros./Discovery’s TNT has been the home for the NBA for a couple of decades. However, they dabbled in the MMA game a few years back with ONE Championship. The company has long been looking for a sports brand that could be as influential and profitable as the NBA. The UFC would be a strong option. UFC Fight Night cards could air on TNT or TBS, while PPV events could be moved to their streaming service Max.