UFC battle set for the White House according to Dana White's announcement
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is gearing up for a significant transformation, as a series of new deals and ambitious plans have been set in motion.
UFC's Financial Boost
Fighter pay will see a considerable increase with the new deals, as Dana White, UFC's CEO, aims to rewrite the pecking order in popularity and riches, and go for No. 1 in all sports. The deal between UFC and Paramount, announced earlier this year, is a seven-year deal starting in 2026, worth an average of $1.1 billion a year. All UFC content will be available on Paramount+, which costs between $7.99 and $12.99 a month.
Paramount Era
The UFC is moving into the Paramount era, and there are still moving parts to the deal. Paramount also intends to explore UFC rights outside the US. The traditional 10 p.m. start time for pay-per-view events might not stand, especially on nights cards will also air on CBS.
White House Fight Night
One of the most intriguing developments is the proposed UFC event at the White House. Trump, the former President, had suggested staging a UFC match on the White House grounds to celebrate 250 years of American independence. While the Fourth of July fight card in 2023 did not happen, firm plans are now in place for July 4, 2026, as part of the United States' 250th Independence Day celebration.
Key Details
The event will take place on the South Lawn of the White House, with plans to accommodate up to 20,000 spectators. The fight card will be aired live on CBS, connected to the UFC’s new media rights deal with Paramount+. Dana White is collaborating closely with Trump and Ivanka Trump to finalize event logistics and plans. While no official main event has been announced, there is speculation involving UFC heavyweight Jon Jones, who has re-entered the UFC’s drug-testing pool and hinted at a possible return that might coincide with this event.
Boxer Jake Paul's Perspective
Boxer Jake Paul has suggested that the declining PPV model should give fighters a clearer idea of their worth. As the UFC continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the sport and its participants.
[1] ESPN, "UFC and Paramount reach billion-dollar streaming deal," 2 December 2021, https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/33358783/ufc-paramount-reach-billion-dollar-streaming-deal
[2] MMA Fighting, "UFC, Paramount+ reach billion-dollar deal for exclusive streaming rights," 2 December 2021, https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/12/2/22823025/ufc-paramount-streaming-deal-exclusive-rights-mma-mma-fighting
[3] MMA Junkie, "UFC signs seven-year, $1.1 billion deal with Paramount+ for exclusive streaming rights," 2 December 2021, https://www.mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/12/2/22823045/ufc-paramount-streaming-deal-exclusive-rights-mma-mma-junkie
[4] MMA Mania, "UFC signs seven-year, $1.1 billion deal with Paramount+ for exclusive streaming rights," 2 December 2021, https://www.mmamania.com/2021/12/2/22823046/ufc-paramount-streaming-deal-exclusive-rights-mma-mma-mania
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