The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has secured a groundbreaking new broadcast partnership in the UK, with Paramount set to become the exclusive home of UFC events starting in 2026. This multi-year deal marks a significant shift in the MMA landscape, ending TNT Sports' long-standing association with the promotion.
A New Era for UFC Broadcasting
The agreement will see Paramount take over all UFC content distribution across the UK, including pay-per-view events, Fight Nights, and the popular Dana White's Contender Series. This move comes after extensive negotiations as UFC sought to expand its reach and enhance fan experience in one of its most important international markets.
What This Means for UK Fight Fans
British MMA enthusiasts can expect:
- Comprehensive coverage of all UFC events
- Enhanced production quality and additional programming
- Potential new subscription options for accessing content
- Continued availability of prelims on free-to-air platforms
The transition to Paramount will officially begin in January 2026, giving TNT Sports nearly two years to wind down its UFC programming. Industry analysts suggest this move could significantly alter the UK sports broadcasting landscape, with Paramount making a bold statement about its ambitions in live sports.
Why Paramount Won the Rights
Sources close to the negotiations indicate that Paramount's global reach and streaming capabilities were key factors in securing the deal. The media giant reportedly presented an ambitious plan to grow UFC's UK audience through innovative digital platforms while maintaining traditional broadcast coverage.
UFC President Dana White commented: "We're thrilled to partner with Paramount to bring UFC to our passionate UK fan base. This deal represents our commitment to making UFC more accessible than ever before."
The financial terms remain confidential, but industry experts estimate the agreement to be worth significantly more than the previous TNT Sports contract, reflecting UFC's growing popularity in the region.
