The sports world is evolving, and the savviest leaders know how to stay ahead of the curve. UFC CEO Dana White is one such figure. Under his guidance, the TKO-owned promotion has taken another major leap with the announcement of a new broadcasting partnership. White & Co. signed a groundbreaking deal with Paramount, set to kick off next year, extending their seven-year collaboration and valued at $7.7 billion — roughly $1.1 billion annually.
The agreement officially closes the book on the UFC’s traditional pay-per-view era, ushering in a new chapter for the sport’s global reach. While the change initially raised concerns over lost PPV bonuses for fighters, Dana White was quick to reassure athletes that their paydays will actually rise under the revamped model. While ESPN currently holds UFC rights until the end of 2025, Paramount+ will take over as the exclusive home for all UFC events starting January 2026, with select fights simulcast on CBS. Fans will no longer need to pay $79.99 per event — instead, UFC becomes part of Paramount+’s subscription model ($7.99–$12.99), potentially widening access to millions more households.
Henry Cejudo reconsiders retirement after Dana White & Co.’s $7.7 billion deal
Dana White’s commitment, combined with the record-breaking financial deal, is already influencing fighters’ decisions. Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo is the latest to acknowledge its impact on his career plans. The former Olympian, who retired in 2020 while riding a six-fight win streak, returned after a three-year hiatus on a four-fight contract. Since coming back, however, he has struggled, dropping three consecutive bouts and now has only one fight remaining on his UFC deal.
Since returning from his first retirement, he has gone winless in three outings, and the idea of stepping away seemed imminent. But in a recent interview with TMZ Sports, ‘Triple C’ revealed the massive Paramount deal has shifted his perspective. “I was thinking about a farewell, but once I heard the 7.7 billion, I figured it’s time to get some of that money. So that doesn’t sound too bad… especially with the 7.7 billion — the 7.7 has a lot to do with me maybe sticking around a little bit longer.”
LAS VEGAS, NV – March 3: Henry Cejudo receives his 50x USADA jacket and his 75X pin following the official weigh-ins at UFC Apex for UFC 285 -Jones vs Gane : Official Weigh-ins on March 3, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV , United States. Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages Louis Grasse / SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xLouisxGrassex/xSPPx SPP_156393
Henry Cejudo confirmed he is aiming for a return either by the end of this year or in early 2026. If he gets his way, his opponent will be none other than Song Yadong — the fighter who handed him a controversial loss in Seattle following the eye poke that required surgery. At the time, Dana White dismissed any talk of a rematch. Since then, ‘Triple C’ has pushed for the fight to be overturned to a no-contest, but the judges ultimately sided with Yadong on fight night.
Dana White reaffirms commitment to UFC’s White House debut
While the Paramount UFC deal continues to make headlines, Dana White’s UFC is shifting focus to another historic initiative. On July 3, Donald Trump announced from Iowa that the White House is partnering with Dana White & Co. to transform the South Lawn into a UFC arena, hosting a fight night on the eve of America’s 250th anniversary. Preparations have already begun, starting with logistics, even though the event is still nearly a year away on July 4, 2026.
Fighters have started voicing their preferences for the card, with marquee names like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones already in the conversation. With Paramount and CBS Sports as the UFC’s new broadcast partners, CBS will air select high-profile fights. Speaking to the media, Dana White confirmed, “It’s absolutely going to happen,” White told The Associated Press. “Think about that, the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the UFC will be on the White House south lawn live on CBS.”
The UFC White House arena is currently in the planning stages. Dana White plans to visit Washington in late August to meet with Ivanka Trump, who reportedly oversees the initiative, according to White House representatives. Fans should stay tuned as organizers continue to roll out details for this historic event.
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