Paramount Lands UFC in $7.7B Streaming Power Play with TKO

Starting in 2026, UFC fans in the U.S. will find their favorite fights streaming on Paramount+, thanks to a massive seven-year deal between Paramount and TKO Group. The agreement — worth an average of $1.1 billion a year — marks a huge jump from UFC’s current ESPN deal and will bring all 13 marquee numbered events and 30 “Fight Nights” under one streaming roof.

Select big-ticket events will also air on CBS, giving the UFC a bigger mainstream spotlight. The shift moves UFC away from its pay-per-view-heavy model, making events more affordable and easier to access for fans.

“Live sports are a cornerstone of our strategy,” Paramount CEO David Ellison said, calling the UFC deal “a major win” for subscriber growth and long-term engagement. TKO president Mark Shapiro promised it would mean “deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fan base.”

The deal follows Paramount’s rocky $8B merger with Skydance, which was approved only after the company paid $16 million to settle a dispute with President Donald Trump over “60 Minutes.” Trump, a longtime friend of UFC boss Dana White, has even floated the idea of holding a UFC fight on the White House lawn in 2026 for America’s 250th birthday.

Dana White praised the deal on X, saying it puts UFC “amongst the biggest sports in the world” and makes it more accessible than ever.

TKO, which also owns WWE, has been busy securing major streaming deals. Just last week, Disney announced a five-year, $1.6B agreement to bring WWE’s biggest events — including WrestleMania and SummerSlam — to ESPN’s new streaming service and select cable channels.