In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through the sports industry, the UFC has secured a staggering $7.7 billion deal with Paramount and CBS! This monumental agreement caught even UFC President Dana White by surprise.

During an engaging chat on "The Pat McAfee Show," White admitted, "No, I didn’t think this is where we’d end up. But this is sort of how it played out. I love it. These guys are obviously very smart and very aggressive.”

Initially, TKO's president and COO Mark Shapiro expected a modest arrangement focused solely on UFC Fight Night events. However, after a rapid shift in corporate dynamics—thanks to Skydance Media's acquisition of Paramount—things escalated quickly, resulting in the dramatic deal that encompasses **all** U.S. UFC broadcast rights in just 48 hours.

This groundbreaking deal means that Paramount+ will not only host the 30 UFC Fight Night events each year but will also include all **13 numbered UFC events** annually, fundamentally changing the landscape of sports streaming!

Shapiro highlighted the strategic value for Paramount: "We’re getting the brand, we’re getting the reach, and they’ll get the signups." This partnership signifies a radical transformation in how fans access UFC content—a revolutionary shift from traditional pay-per-view.

In a landmark change for fight fans, the UFC's pay-per-view era is coming to an end. Pay-per-view has been a staple since UFC's inception in 1993, with fans shelling out $79.99 per event plus an ESPN+ subscription. But with revenue from pay-per-view reportedly dwindling, the UFC's leap into a subscription model makes perfect sense.

Shapiro stated, "The pay-per-view model is a thing of the past. What’s on pay-per-view anymore? It’s an outdated, antiquated model. We want to make it easier for younger fans, particularly in flyover states, to access live fights. For just $12.99 a month on Paramount+, they’ll have immediate access to the biggest fights!"

While details are still emerging, Shapiro confirmed that Paramount+ will flow with **all 43 annual UFC events** starting in 2026. This includes the plentiful UFC Fight Nights and pivotal numbered events. There’s even a possibility that CBS will simulcast these marquee matches!

"CBS will play a significant role in this deal," Shapiro explained. "While Paramount+ will be the exclusive home, CBS will likely air all numbered events, which were previously on pay-per-view."

Many analysts were stunned to see Paramount emerge victorious in securing these rights, especially after speculation favored giants like Netflix and ESPN. Paramount+ has been better known for dramas like "Yellowstone" than for live sports, but White insists that live sports are essential for streaming platforms.

He asserted, "All streaming services need to engage viewers with live sports. You can't watch a sporting event on delay—it's all about the urgency!"

As the sports broadcasting landscape shifts dramatically, one thing is clear: this $7.7 billion deal is just the beginning of an electrifying new era for UFC fans!