The UFC's new broadcasting era begins in earnest at UFC 324, the first numbered event under the promotion's $7.7bn deal with Paramount+. The switch from ESPN to a subscription-based model marks the death of pay-per-view, promising guaranteed revenue for the UFC and lower costs for fans.
Under the previous ESPN agreement, US fans paid $11.99 per month for ESPN+ plus $80 per pay-per-view event, totalling over $1,100 for a year of full access. With Paramount+, a $7.99 monthly subscription covers all events, bringing the annual cost down to under $100. UFC president Dana White hailed the deal as 'historic', although similar claims were made for the ESPN deal in 2019, which was later criticised for price hikes and falling pay-per-view sales.
Despite the financial advantages, simply removing the paywall will not automatically improve the product. The UFC has faced criticism for stagnant matchmaking and declining enthusiasm among fans. White recently responded to complaints by saying, 'If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.' The success of the Paramount era will depend on maintaining high-quality events.
UFC 324's card suggests a strong start, headlined by Liverpool's Paddy Pimblett facing Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title. A planned bout between Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison was cancelled due to injury, but the card remains deep, featuring former champions Sean O'Malley and Rose Namajunas. The prelims include a fight between Umar Nurmagomedov and Deiveson Figueiredo that could headline a Fight Night event.
Broadcaster Kate Scott, known for her work with CBS Sports and boxing coverage, will host the event, potentially signalling a shift towards a more polished presentation akin to Dazn or Netflix. The long-term challenge for the UFC remains a lack of superstar power, but Pimblett's charisma and this weekend's main event may help address that.
