May 9, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Dana White in the octagon after the fight between Henry Cejudo (red gloves) and Dominick Cruz (blue gloves) during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

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UFC Owners Tease Big Moves Ahead, Eyeing New TV Deal Amid Multiple Talks With Major Networks!

TKO execs reveal broadcast shake-up is coming, with UFC in active talks to land a blockbuster media rights deal!

The UFC has come a long way from its humble beginnings. There was a time when Senator John McCain called it “human cockfighting” and the sport was banned in most states. Those dark days seem like ancient history now. What started as a controversial spectacle has transformed into a global sports phenomenon worth billions. The UFC’s journey from pay-per-view curiosity to ESPN mainstay didn’t happen overnight. It took years of smart marketing, rule changes, and the emergence of superstars like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones to push MMA into the mainstream.

Now, the UFC stands at another crucial crossroads. With its current ESPN deal set to expire at the end of 2025, the promotion is shopping for a new broadcast home. But this isn’t just about finding the highest bidder. TKO Group Holdings, the parent company that oversees both UFC and WWE, wants a partner that will help grow the sport for years to come. Their decision will shape how fans watch fights for the next decade and potentially cement MMA’s place alongside more prevalent sports like football and basketball.

Also Read: Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones “Living Good” As He Addresses Ducking Allegations

UFC Exploring Options Beyond ESPN As Broadcast Rights Heat Up

The exclusive negotiating window with ESPN closed in April without a new deal. This has opened the floodgates for other networks to court the UFC. Mark Shapiro, president and COO of TKO Group Holdings stressed that money isn’t the only factor in their decision-making process. Speaking at the J.P. Morgan Global, Technology, Media and Communications conference, this is what he said:

“We’re not turning our backs on ESPN but we want to have multiple conversations and we want to make a smart, strategic decision that works best for our long term. The long term is not just the money.”

UFC owners outline priorities for new TV deal, in ‘multiple conversations’ with potential partners https://t.co/MghiKyedcs
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) May 14, 2025

While reports suggest the UFC is seeking at least $1 billion per year for its broadcast rights, the promotion is thinking strategically about its future. Shapiro highlighted several advantages the UFC has in negotiations.

“We’re year round, most aren’t. We’re global, most aren’t. We don’t have an owner’s committee, most do. We incentivize our fighters to be a part of the team, frankly, and we’re finding new ways for them to cash in beyond just winning in the octagon. The platforms recognize that. We’re young, we’re diverse, just a lot of upside.”

The television landscape has changed dramatically since the UFC signed with ESPN seven years ago. Streaming services now dominate, and traditional networks are launching their own digital platforms.

This new reality gives the UFC significant leverage. The promotion could potentially split its rights package between multiple partners or explore innovative distribution models. After successfully using its content to drive ESPN+ subscriptions over the past several years, the UFC clearly understands its value in the streaming wars. As Shapiro put it, live sports content is “a proven winner.” With major networks and streaming platforms desperate for live content, the UFC finds itself in what Shapiro called “a very unique spot” as negotiations continue behind closed doors.

(Image Credit: Jasen Vinlove – Imagn Images)

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Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!