Will the UFC Leave ESPN and Ditch Pay-Per-View? Here’s What That Could Mean for the Sport

April 18, 2025 | Athlas Advisory

The UFC’s current broadcast deal with ESPN is set to expire in 2025. As negotiations approach, one question looms large: will the UFC stay locked into ESPN and the pay-per-view model, or will it shift to a broader media strategy?

What the UFC decides next could redefine how fight fans watch mixed martial arts — and how the UFC grows in the next decade.

The Current UFC–ESPN Model

Since 2019, ESPN+ has been the exclusive home of UFC pay-per-view events in the United States. To watch a major UFC card, fans need an ESPN+ subscription, and then they still have to pay for the event, usually around $80.

This setup has helped the UFC generate strong short-term revenue. But it also limits who can watch, when they watch, and how often they stay engaged. In a time when sports media is moving toward scale and accessibility, the UFC’s model is starting to feel outdated.

Why the UFC Might Move On From ESPN

There are three major reasons the UFC could choose a new direction.

First, control. The UFC has built its brand into a global powerhouse. ESPN provides reach, but it also means the UFC has to work around another company’s priorities and programming. With media fragmentation accelerating, owning the full customer experience has become more important.

Second, growth. Relying on ESPN+ and pay-per-view caps audience expansion. Most casual fans will not pay a premium to watch every event. Younger viewers especially expect content to be available through platforms they already use, like YouTube, TikTok, and streaming apps that bundle live sports into a monthly fee.

Third, leverage. The UFC has more options now than it did in 2019. Amazon, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and even Apple have all pushed deeper into live sports. These companies want premium content with built-in audiences. The UFC offers exactly that.

The Case for Leaving Pay-Per-View Behind

Pay-per-view helped build the UFC into a billion-dollar business. But times have changed.

Piracy eats into every major event. Viewers resent the high price. Even the biggest names can struggle to hit a million buys. Pay-per-view also creates a gap between the UFC and the casual fan who just wants to watch a fight on a Saturday night without jumping through hoops.

Moving away from pay-per-view would let the UFC go after scale instead of one-time transactions. Subscriptions, licensing, and advertising could replace lost PPV revenue, while bringing in far more consistent viewership.

A New Model: Subscription, Scale, and Syndication

The future could look something like this: a mix of streaming and live TV, with fights available through major platforms that already have global reach.

Picture main cards on Amazon Prime or Max, with undercards free on YouTube or bundled in a monthly subscription. Content could be sliced into pre-fight shows, behind-the-scenes footage, real-time analysis, and studio content that runs all week, not just fight night.

This approach would mirror what the NFL, NBA, and Formula 1 are already doing — putting the fan experience first, and making content available anytime, anywhere.

What This Means for Fighters and Fans

More exposure would benefit fighters at every level. Without pay-per-view walls, newer talent could build a following faster. Mid-tier fighters would get more visibility. Superstars could reach international audiences on a regular basis.

For fans, the value would increase. Instead of paying per fight, they would get a steady stream of content. They could follow storylines, rivalries, and training camps in real time, not just once a month when the main event rolls around.

What to Watch Next

Negotiations are likely already underway behind the scenes. If the UFC decides to re-sign with ESPN, expect some changes in how events are packaged. If the UFC moves on, it will be the first time since the ESPN deal began that the company explores full control of its media future.

Whatever direction it takes, the decision will shape the next decade of mixed martial arts — from how fights are marketed to how fans discover the next big name.

Bottom Line

The UFC faces a choice: stay with ESPN and protect the pay-per-view model, or break away and embrace a wider, more accessible distribution strategy.

If it chooses the second path, the sport could see more fans, more content, and more opportunities for fighters. It could also mark the start of a new chapter in combat sports, where the biggest fights are no longer locked behind a paywall.

The future is wide open.

By Vincent Logozzo