Earlier this year, the UFC and ESPN announced they would part ways at the end of their contracts. The UFC is now looking for new avenues for its broadcast, amid a global expansion project on the horizon. While on its way to a massive Netflix deal, the organization has hit a speed bump.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, while talking about a potential deal with the UFC, gave an unclear and unsure answer about a future together for UFC and Netflix. The platform is still testing the waters in live sports – it started with tennis (The Netflix Slam), and the WWE deal was its first major leap. Jumping into a high-intensity sport like MMA might feel like moving too fast for them. Netflix is focused on “event-based” spectacles (WrestleMania, tennis exhibitions) rather than the week-to-week fight schedule UFC requires.
So, for the UFC, this move stands as the most pivotal point in its broadcasting history. As Sarandos blatantly rejected a $1Billion offer from the UFC, calling it unacceptable, he said: “No comments,” leaving the UFC CEO and President, Dana White, to fend for himself.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, during an investor call, wouldn’t speak on a potential UFC deal specifically, but stated that the streaming service was focused on ‘big, breakthrough events’.
Is the UFC big enough for Netflix to dish out $1 billion? #UFC #MMA #Netflix pic.twitter.com/g214gUlMmr
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) April 21, 2025
Netflix already has a huge broadcasting partnership with the WWE, just holding its biggest annual event, WrestleMania 41, on its live streaming service. It makes sense. WWE’s scripted, showbiz style fits Netflix’s vibe – think reality TV meets blockbuster drama. UFC, being a real sport with unpredictable outcomes, is a trickier fit for a platform just dipping its toes into live events. Both the entertainment giants reaped the rewards of this mega-event that lasted for the whole previous weekend, with its huge number of online viewers. WWE’s current global reach has established itself as one of the very largest entertainment businesses on the planet. Can we say the same about the UFC?
Dana White’s built the UFC into a global force, but it’s still chasing WWE’s decades-long TV dominance. WWE doesn’t just fit Netflix, it supercharges it. The UFC, on the other hand, has not made the same impact on the sporting world. It is still on the verge of its breakout and hasn’t been around for that long either.
So, with Netflix out, Dana White’s shopping, plenty of players are ready to pounce on the UFC’s next broadcast deal.
Netflix rejects UFC, leaves Dana White open for new ventures
UFC’s partnership with ESPN ended on a rather cruel note. White’s history of fiery feuds – whether clashing with ESPN hosts or sparring with stars (Ngannou, anyone?) might give streamers pause. As both sides were left bitter from ESPN’s letdowns, he made it essential for the UFC to find a better source for their product’s presentation. With its value increasing every day, surely, the UFC has many options and many companies offering the organization to join them.
The UFC currently has no contract for its broadcasting. With eyes on many streaming giants, White has to make sure his organization is being presented on the grandest stage possible. Even the constant rival of Amazon Prime has made its way to the UFC broadcasting bidding too. In a time when the UFC has to learn from its past mistakes and move forward cautiously. The most dominant MMA company in the world has to find a way to improve not only its quality but also increase its viewership.
At this vulnerable stage, the UFC can take a safe bet and compromise on the Netflix deal. It is indeed the platform for it. But can the organization make this drastic change in its values? Or will the organization find itself an alternative? In a rather desperate move, it seems, the UFC has even begun to heal its relationship with ESPN again. Is this an indication of things to come in the future? Or is the UFC driving a hard bargain for Netflix? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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