As the UFC prepares for a transformative change in 2026, the organization is set to depart from its long-standing pay-per-view model. This shift results from a newly inked media rights agreement with Paramount, announced in August, worth $7.7 billion over seven years.
Overview of the UFC-Paramount Deal
The partnership with Paramount marks a significant change in how fans will access UFC content. Under this deal, numbered UFC events and Fight Nights will be available on Paramount+. Subscribers will no longer pay for individual events, encouraging a broader audience engagement.
- Media Rights Deal: $7.7 billion over seven years
- Events Broadcast: Numbered events on Paramount+, select events on CBS
- Number of Events in 2026: 43 total UFC events
- First Event on Paramount+: UFC 324
Changing Dynamics in Scheduling and Viewership
East Coast fans will rejoice over earlier start times for numbered events, moving to 9 p.m. ET. This adjustment aims to address long-standing complaints about late main event start times.
In 2026, the UFC is projected to hold 13 major numbered events previously offered as pay-per-views. This evolution is part of the UFC’s broader ambition to enhance its standing within North American professional sports.
UFC’s Aspirations
Jon Anik, UFC’s lead commentator, expressed high expectations for this transition. He stated that the UFC aims to secure a position among America’s top leagues alongside the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL.
“We want to elevate the UFC’s profile, and we believe this deal will bring us closer to that goal,” Anik noted.
Updates on Champions and Fighters Entering 2026
As 2026 approaches, many champions are poised to make their mark. Currently, only one champion, Valentina Shevchenko in women’s flyweight, retained her title throughout 2025.
- Men’s Heavyweight: Tom Aspinall
- Men’s Light Heavyweight: Alex Pereira
- Men’s Middleweight: Khamzat Chimaev
- Men’s Welterweight: Islam Makhachev
- Men’s Lightweight: Ilia Topuria
- Women’s Bantamweight: Kayla Harrison
Looking Forward: The Future of UFC
UFC’s strategy aims to attract new viewers, particularly younger demographics. Anik stated that the shift to affordable subscription-based viewing is expected to invigorate the fan base.
“We believe this model makes the sport more accessible,” he said. “Fans can enjoy high-quality fights without the financial burden of pay-per-view costs.”
| Champion | Division |
|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall | Heavyweight |
| Alex Pereira | Light Heavyweight |
| Khamzat Chimaev | Middleweight |
| Islam Makhachev | Welterweight |
| Ilia Topuria | Lightweight |
| Kayla Harrison | Bantamweight |
As the UFC embarks on this new era, the focus is on creating an engaged, diverse, and expansive audience while continuing to elevate the profiles of its fighters and events. The move to Paramount+ represents not just a change in broadcasting but a pivotal moment in the UFC’s history.
