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As the UFC's $1.5 billion broadcasting deal with ESPN enters its final year, speculation is heating up over who will become the promotion's next media partner.
With ESPN's exclusive negotiating window now closed, streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon are reportedly in the running - and the future of UFC's media presence could be on the verge of a major shift.
Netflix emerges as a leading contender
Industry insiders believe Netflix has taken the lead in discussions to secure UFC rights, citing two primary advantages: the platform's vast global reach and its newly formed partnership with WWE, a fellow TKO Group Holdings brand, through Monday Night Raw. With both the UFC and WWE under the TKO umbrella, this synergy could give Netflix the upper hand in negotiations.
Reports suggest the UFC is aiming for a media rights deal worth around $1 billion per year - a significant increase from the roughly $600 million ESPN currently pays. Netflix's resources and international footprint make it a strong candidate to meet those demands and help the UFC expand its global audience.
Despite Netflix's momentum, the UFC may not abandon ESPN or its lucrative pay-per-view business model entirely. Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub recently weighed in, suggesting a hybrid approach could be the most realistic scenario.
"UFC is going to be all over, but you'll get those Fight Nights - some of those - on Netflix. And don't get it twisted - the UFC is a proven pay-per-view success. They have a business model they would never abandon," Schaub said.
Such a model would mirror what the NFL achieved in 2021, distributing rights across several networks in a $110 billion deal. This could allow the UFC to retain pay-per-views on ESPN while moving other events, like Fight Nights, to new platforms like Netflix.
CNBC's Alex Sherman reported that ESPN is still in the mix to retain UFC rights but is reluctant to match the league's steep $1 billion annual asking price.
"ESPN still wants UFC rights, but not for the mixed martial arts league's roughly $1 billion per year asking price," Sherman wrote.
"That may lead to a situation where UFC splits its rights between multiple media partners."
This comes as ESPN prepares to launch its long-anticipated direct-to-consumer streaming platform this fall. The service will include all ESPN channels and be bundled with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99/month in its first year. The network's new streaming strategy may factor into the UFC's decision - but so too may past technical issues.
Despite tensions, White has shown appreciation for ESPN while also remaining flexible about the promotion's future.
"I don't know. It depends on what ESPN-or wherever else we go-is looking for," White said.
"Most of the time when you do these deals, you're catering to what the network needs... It always changes. It doesn't matter to me."