With the UFC’s broadcast rights deal with ESPN set to expire at the end of 2025, potential new partners like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Warner Bros. are being considered for a more lucrative arrangement, with Netflix emerging as the most likely successor due to its vast global reach and recent ventures into sports entertainment.
UFC fans are buzzing with one big question: Where can we catch the action in 2026? Since 2018, ESPN has been the go-to for UFC broadcasts in the U.S. This partnership has been a win-win, drawing subscribers to ESPN+ and filling Dana White’s pockets as the UFC empire grows.
But hold on—this deal might be wrapping up soon. The contract ends in 2025, and negotiations hit a snag when their exclusive window closed on April 15. ESPN’s Jimmy Pitaro remains optimistic, saying they “remain interested” in working something out.
Could the UFC land a more lucrative deal elsewhere? Damon Martin and Alexander K. Lee from MMA Fighting dive into potential candidates for this massive broadcasting opportunity and what it means for fans.
Netflix is the hot favorite. With over 300 million subscribers globally, its reach dwarfs ESPN’s. Plus, Netflix just inked a $5 billion deal with WWE for Monday Night Raw. The UFC-WWE connection could make this a perfect match.
Netflix has shied away from sports due to seasonal formats, but UFC’s year-round events fit perfectly. Imagine Netflix snagging pay-per-view rights like the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight—sounds like a dream pairing.
Odds of Netflix becoming UFC’s new home? +150. Lee thinks it’s almost inevitable—Netflix is already making waves in sports entertainment, teaming up with Paul and Tyson for blockbuster events.
ESPN is not out of the race yet. The network still holds prestige in sports, giving UFC legitimacy. But with record revenues and sold-out events, UFC may not need this connection anymore.
ESPN+ thrives on UFC content, and with plans for a new streaming service, losing UFC would be a blow. They might fight to keep some rights, like UFC Fight Night cards.
Odds of sticking with ESPN? +350. Lee feels there’s comfort in familiarity—ESPN remains the top dog in U.S. sports reporting.
Amazon Prime was once close to partnering with UFC before ESPN swooped in. With deep pockets and recent NFL and NBA deals, Amazon could afford to snatch up UFC rights if they want to dominate live sports.
Odds for Amazon Prime? +500. Lee speculates Bezos might shake things up—imagine watching The Boys followed by some intense UFC action.
Warner Bros. Discovery seems like a long shot after losing the NBA package. They have platforms like HBO and TNT but are more focused on Emmy-winning shows than sports these days.
Odds here? +1500. Lee jokes about a dream team hosting UFC on TNT alongside Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
Then there’s “the field”—other contenders like Apple TV or even FOX could surprise us with an offer too good to refuse. But Apple TV seems like the only real threat given its financial clout.
Odds for the field? +2000. Lee chuckles at the thought of UFC sharing space with Academy Award-winning films on Apple TV or returning to Paramount, formerly known as Spike TV.
Could UFC spread its wings across multiple platforms again? Seems unlikely compared to the convenience of a single broadcast partner.
In any case, fans are eagerly watching this space—and maybe voting in polls—to see where they’ll tune in next!