Do you like that Paramount bought the rights for the UFC?

[Takes Two To Tango]

Inspired by this thread.

News Thread 'Paramount buys UFC rights. PPV model is dead'

Aug 11, 2025

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/11/paramount-buys-ufc-rights-skydance-merger.html

• LoneLynx
• Replies: 311
• Forum: UFC Discussion

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UFC moving to Paramount next year in $7.7 billion rights deal

In a major deal, Paramount scores exclusive rights to UFC events, signaling the end of the pay-per-view model currently used by ESPN.

www.usatoday.com

Paramount will become the new home to all UFC events in the US under 7-year deal with TKO Group - TSN.ca

www.tsn.ca

It's quite a monumental deal. But I don't have Paramount streaming, but this definitely gives an incentive to purchase it.

So you like the deal? Or is it too early to tell.

I think it's a great deal for both the UFC and the fans. You get to see all UFC events and much more. And than top that off with what Paramount has in their regular streaming.

Very smart move from everyone imo.

 

[milliniar]

Way to early to tell, especially since I am not in the US and it impacts me very little.

 

[Kenny Powerth]

So you buy special events as an extra charge but it's not a PPV?

 

[rear naked ankle pick]

Not big fan of paranormal, still have ptsd from the ring movie

 

[Oscar Madison]

Who gets custody of Dana's DWCS?

Do fans go back and pay UFC to get that content -- or will P+ run it?

Also, need to see how UFC support programming develops outside of ESPN's influence.

 

[STAY GOLD]

So you buy special events as an extra charge but it's not a PPV?

No. You just pay a flat fee and will get all numbered events and FNs.

 

[MrBlackheart]

I hope I’m required to subscribe to espn + prior to getting Paramount. I love doing the more complex, multiple steps method vs the short simple way.

 

[podsox]

not dealing with espn plus is a huge win

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

The more I think of it, this is the best thing that can happen to UFC and the sport of MMA I believe. This is a game changer.

 

[Oscar Madison]

Are we keeping the F Bombs?

DC had to shut it down -- when Hernandez was dropping truths in his victory interview,

because ESPN

 

[usernamee]

If it means no more PPVs, then no.

PPVs are the only cards which can sometimes be stacked nowadays. Without that there will just be a string of mediocre cards. Quality will not go up from here.

Like I said in the other thread. We've lived through the golden ages of the UFC where stacking PPVs mattered and the Apex didn't exist so all events took place in filled arenas all over the country and the world.

1/3 of the roster is coming from DWCS right now. Quality will remain the same or worsen and quantity will go up.

 

[CasualBot]

“I didn’t want to come back and be in the school, but I had to because it was part of a lawsuit and the agreement with Paramount” - Jesus

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

I’m sure this deal will be great for TKO’s valuation, and they’ll be able to take out more/bigger loans

 

[Uber_Noober]

After the Paramount deal expires, I want to see the UFC go full circle and end up back at SpikeTV

 

[Russie]

Today I like what I'm hearing. We'll see though.

 

[TheJohnnyWalkerEra]

Couldn't care less as long as there are still fights

 

[Harlekin]

I think this will improve the russian streams, so I'm for it.
Just kidding.

 

[STAY GOLD]

If it means no more PPVs, then no.

PPVs are the only cards which can sometimes be stacked nowadays. Without that there will just be a string of mediocre cards. Quality will not go up from here.

Like I said in the other thread. We've lived through the golden ages of the UFC where stacking PPVs mattered and the Apex didn't exist so all events took place in filled arenas all over the country and the world.

1/3 of the roster is coming from DWCS right now. Quality will remain the same or worsen and quantity will go up.

They're not removing numbered cards. They're just removing the PPV model.

WWE hasn't had a PPV in years, but they still have Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Survivor Series.

The same thing will happen with the UFC. The PPV model is gone, but not the numbered cards.

So you pay a flat fee for Paramount Plus and get both the numbered cards and FN cards.

Not sure why this is so complicated for some to understand.

 

[usernamee]

They're not removing numbered cards. They're just removing the PPV model.

WWE hasn't had a PPV in years, but they still have Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Survivor Series.

The same thing will happen with the UFC. The PPV model is gone, but not the numbered cards.

So you pay a flat fee for Paramount Plus and get both the numbered cards and FN cards.

Not sure why this is so complicated for some to understand.

and what incentive do they have to stack the numbered cards like they do with the PPVs?

 

[STAY GOLD]

and what incentive do they have to stack the numbered cards like they do with the PPVs?

They're not stacking the majority of the numbered cards now for the most part, so whatever incentive they have now given how low the PPV sales have been in recent years.