How UFC’s Dana White secured 7.7 billion from Paramount

Just days after finalizing its contentious merger with Skydance Media, Paramount has landed a landmark $7.7 billion agreement to become the exclusive U.S. home of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) starting next year. The seven-year deal with TKO Group, UFC's parent company, marks a seismic shift in combat sports broadcasting, reported The Guardian.

Under the agreement, Paramount+ will stream all 13 of UFC's premier numbered events and 30 annual Fight Nights, with select matchups airing simultaneously on CBS. The partnership effectively ends UFC's pay-per-view model on Disney's ESPN+ platform, making fights more accessible to mainstream audiences.

The deal arrives on the heels of David Ellison's $8.4 billion takeover of Paramount, where he now serves as chair and CEO. Ellison signaled aggressive expansion into live sports, stating: "UFC's year-round must-watch events drive engagement, subscriber growth and long-term loyalty – key pillars of our strategy." Paramount will pay TKO an average $1.1 billion annually while absorbing costs that previously fell to fans.

Ripple Effects Across Media Landscape

TKO President Mark Shapiro hailed Paramount as a »platinum partner with significant reach«, noting the deal creates long-term value. The agreement may foreshadow similar moves as UFC's international rights come up for renewal.

UFC CEO Dana White, a prominent Donald Trump ally who spoke at the former president's January victory rally, continues expanding his influence. The Meta board member has now engineered another transformative media partnership that could reshape how millions experience combat sports.

This blockbuster deal positions Paramount as a major player in live sports streaming while giving UFC unprecedented broadcast reach – a knockout combination in the increasingly competitive media arena.

MK