ESPN & NBC To Reportedly Split Expanded UFC TV Package

There is a new report out on the new UFC TV deal, and it looks like they are leaving Fox. This is not confirmed at this time, so take it as a rumor until a more official word comes out. According to terezowens.com, ESPN & NBC will reportedly split the new expanded UFC TV deal. The deal is reportedly for two-years for a total of $320 million.

In the new deal, ESPN and NBC will pay for production (in the current deal the UFC pays for production). ESPN and NBC will also have streaming rights and the Fight pass prelims will move to their streaming platforms. A new contenders series will replace the Ultimate Fighter, with each platform getting a season of the show.

The company will reduce to 6 PPV events a year, and new weight classes (like men’s 165 and women’s 105) will be added to help fill the increased fight nights. Each network will have exclusive rights to certain fighters (similar to how HBO and Showtime have their own boxers which they develop and build) outside of PPV.