For viewers, the deal means UFC coverage will shift away from its current US home on ESPN, changing how fans watch and pay for fights. Paramount recently merged with David Ellison's Skydance after its purchasing of Paramount Global from Shari Redstone on August 7.

Paramount will become the new home to all Ultimate Fighting Championship events in the U.S. and 30 "Fight Nights," TKO Group announced.

Paramount is purchasing the rights to UFC in a landmark $7.7 billion deal over seven years beginning in 2026, the companies announced in a statement Monday, in a move that will eliminate the pay-per-view model. All of the UFC’s events will now be accessible with only a Paramount+ subscription, and select numbered events will also air on CBS.