UFC CEO Dana White is in negotiations for a new broadcast deal, with several major players in the mix, including Netflix and Amazon. The current deal with ESPN is set to expire in 2025 after a $1.5 billion contract signed in 2018.
Fans have expressed disappointment with ESPN’s performance, citing issues with its app and limited solutions to these problems. In contrast, Netflix and Amazon Prime boast significantly more subscribers than ESPN+, with over 300 million and 200 million respectively.
Both platforms have experience in live sports broadcasting, including NFL games and WWE events. Netflix is set to broadcast Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford on September 13, while Amazon Prime has a history of airing mixed martial arts events through its ONE Championship partnership.
The UFC’s interest in these platforms suggests that negotiations are ongoing, with White declining to provide details on the current talks. “There’s nothing,” he said. “We’re in the middle of talks.” The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the world will change significantly in the next year regarding MMA broadcast rights.
Source: https://cagesidepress.com/2025/07/15/dana-white-says-next-broadcast-deal-will-make-ufc-more-global