Paramount secures UFC rights in the US in $7.7 billion deal

Paramount, now owned by Skydance, has struck a groundbreaking seven-year deal worth $7.7 billion with TKO Group Holdings to become the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) from 2026. The agreement covers all 13 numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Nights annually, which will stream on Paramount+ at no additional cost to subscribers. Select major events will also air on CBS. This marks a significant departure from the UFC’s traditional pay-per-view model and is expected to draw in more viewers through easy access.

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David Ellison, Paramount’s chairman and CEO, described UFC as a “global sports powerhouse” and said live sports remain a cornerstone of the company’s growth strategy. The move comes as streaming platforms increasingly invest in sports rights to attract subscribers, with competitors like Netflix and Disney making similar plays in other sports. Paramount’s $1.1 billion-per-year investment is part of a broader push to expand its live sports portfolio and strengthen its streaming appeal.

The UFC currently stages about 43 live events annually, reaching around 100 million fans in the U.S. and nearly 950 million broadcast and digital households worldwide. Paramount’s new deal is expected to give the sport greater exposure in the U.S. market while boosting Paramount+ subscriptions. The company has also indicated interest in pursuing UFC rights in other countries when opportunities arise.

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The announcement comes just a week after Paramount Global and Skydance Media finalized their $8.4 billion merger. The merger was closely watched due to political scrutiny and shareholder concerns, but it now positions the company as a stronger competitor in the media landscape.

For UFC fans, the shift to Paramount+ means a more accessible and cost-effective way to watch fights, while CBS simulcasts will provide additional reach for major events. This could reshape how combat sports are consumed in the U.S., making premium fights available to a wider audience without the steep pay-per-view fees. As cord-cutting accelerates, the deal signals a growing trend where streaming services use sports rights as a key weapon in the battle for subscribers.