According to the reports, the UFC head, Dana, points to a disorder of the rights of the media of great success that is worth billions with Netflix, since its association with ESPN seems to be in poor condition near its end.
The UFC signed a $ 1.5 billion agreement with the world leader in sports in 2019. However, the association has led to great frustration around the problems of payment transmission by vision.
During UFC 313 at the beginning of March, the problems continued to cause problems with viewers, which led White to address them at the press conference after the fight.
'Oh yes, he did it to me. They had trouble buying it on ESPN+. I don't know what happened to his platform tonight, “White said. “There were many angry people.”
In addition, UFC's brass is dissatisfied with ESPN, while the network is not happy with payment numbers “very down” for UFC cards. As a result, it is said that MMA's main promotion is looking for a new home in 2026 if the setbacks continue.
Since then, reports have suggested that Netflix is a favorite for the UFC media rights agreement. In addition, the UFC is supposedly abandoning its traditional PPV model to have a separate monthly subscription with the Netflix frame.
According to reports, Dana White is looking at an agreement with Netflix as the EFC Espn agreement is approaching its end
Eric Richter, from the New York Post, shared that “when I put that article on Sunday night, I received a call from someone who is quite well connected, and said almost definitely Netflix.” Almost definitely. Surely I think that was the exact word. So I would venture to guess that the UFC will do anything in its power to go to Netflix.
On March 12, White appeared in the podcast of Fight Freaks Unite with Dan Rafael and went to the ongoing auction for the UFC television rights agreement.
'And the question is' Who will be? 'Is it going to be Amazon, YouTube, Disney? The list continues and continues, 'said White. 'That is the one who will be the players. But the fascinating thing at this time is that when you look, you get the NFL university football, the university basketball of the NBA, you have the NHL, the major baseball leagues, the NBA, you have the UFC, the WWE and the tennis … All these sports are looking for rights offers at this time, right?
'I always come out and discover how to build s – t without anyone's help. That is what I do. Everyone is looking for a television agreement. Everyone is looking for money. I always try to find out how I take my own at the next level and I find it on my own.
In addition, MMA's famous journalist Ariel Helwani believes that an UFC-PENETFLIX agreement could materialize. During an interview, Helwani declared: “Oh, yes, there is a great possibility (Netflix).”
“The biggest story for me in 2025 regarding MMA's business is what happens with the UFC television contract here in the United States because its agreement with ESPN Plus is at the end of the year.”
ESPN frustrations reached a breakdown during UFC 313 card at the beginning of March
Netflix invested $ 5 billion to get an agreement of a decade with the WWE Monday Night Raw show
'And they are going to make a loaded ship. It will be the biggest business in the history of UFC, 'Helwani added.
An agreement of one billion dollars with the UFC would be a significant investment for Netflix, which has already committed to a $ 5B agreement and a decade for the WWE flagship show, Monday Night Raw.
The transmission giant organized his first live boxing event with Jake Paul vs.'s fight. Mike Tyson in November.
As Netflix continues to expand, ESPN seems to change priorities towards basketball after announcing its plans to eliminate MLB coverage in 2026 and focus on the NBA, WNBA, NFL and university football.