- UFC. Justin Gaethje's incredible record: 14 bonuses in 14 fights in the UFC and almost a million dollars!
- UFC. UFC Fight Night Vettori vs Dolidze 2 purse: How much money will they earn?
The UFC is reportedly fed up with ESPN+ due to ongoing streaming issues and may be looking to secure a new broadcasting deal with Netflix. According to Erich Richter of the New York Post, the MMA organization believes ESPN has failed to uphold its end of their exclusive five-year broadcast rights agreement, which began in 2019.
Under this deal, ESPN and its streaming service, ESPN+, have been the exclusive providers of UFC pay-per-views and live events. However, the partnership has been plagued by persistent technical failures, including lag, connection drops, and poor video quality.
UFC fighters criticize ESPN+
The breaking point came during last weekend's UFC event featuring Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev, where severe streaming failures sparked outrage. Even UFC fighters took to social media to criticize ESPN+ for its inability to deliver a smooth viewing experience. Fans have also expressed their frustration, with each major UFC event on ESPN+ becoming synonymous with technical difficulties.
Meanwhile, ESPN seems to be shifting its priorities toward basketball, recently announcing plans to drop Major League Baseball coverage in 2026 to focus on the NBA, WNBA, NFL, and college football. This move has only fueled UFC's dissatisfaction with its current broadcast partner.
Netflix emerges as a top contender
With ESPN+ struggling to meet expectations, UFC's parent company, TKO Group Holdings, is reportedly working aggressively to secure a deal with Netflix. This would align with Netflix's growing ambitions in the sports streaming market, following its successful acquisition of rights to the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight and the NFL's Christmas Day games.
Netflix's expanding presence in live sports makes it a logical destination for UFC, which is eager to move away from ESPN's troubled platform. If a deal materializes, it could mark a major shift in the way UFC content is distributed, bringing one of the world's most popular combat sports to a broader streaming audience.
As UFC explores its options, one thing is clear: the days of relying on ESPN+ may be numbered.