D. White is the president of the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube
O new deal The UFC's broadcasting partnership is undoubtedly one of the best things that could happen to North American fans. The new partnership ensures the end of pay-per-view purchases and that all 43 scheduled events (including 13 numbered ones) will be shown on the Paramount+ streaming service or CBS starting in 2026. However, according to George St-Pierre, a specific category of shows will end up footing the bill.
In an interview with 'Covers', Georges St-Pierre warned that the UFC's new broadcast model, although advantageous for the organization as a promoter, could represent a loss for the fighters.
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“It might be good for the UFC as a promoter, but terrible for the fighters because when I was competing, I had a great argument to negotiate my contract,” St-Pierre said.
Georges St-Pierre is one of the biggest names in UFC history. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @georgesstpierre
In the former champion's view, the pay-per-view system offered athletes a solid argument for negotiating better contract terms. According to the Canadian, he was able to demand a share of the sales revenue. With the move to the Paramount+ subscription package, the former champion believes athletes will lose this bargaining power, leaving them with less chance of securing bonuses and additional revenue.
"I could say to the UFC, 'Look, if you want me to do all the promotion, I want to become a partner. I want a slice of the pie to negotiate a share of the pay-per-view revenue. Because if I'm doing all the promotion, I'm helping you, but you need to help me too. You need to become a partner.' So, that could be bad for the fighters, in the sense that they'll have less negotiating power," concluded the former champion.
The move ends the five-year partnership with ESPN in the US and was announced just days after Paramount merged with Skydance. The UFC also intends to expand the scope of the new agreement to other countries, as international rights will be gradually negotiated over the coming years.
In Brazil, nothing changes: currently, all events continue to be broadcast exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, official Ultimate streaming.
UFC White House broadcast will be shown live on broadcast TV in the US
In addition to the cards being broadcast via streaming, the UFC's new partnership guarantees that special cards will be broadcast on broadcast television, such as the grand UFC Casa Branca event.
In an interview with CBS Mornings, Dana White confirmed that the event commemorating American independence, planned to take place on the White House lawn, will be broadcast nationwide.
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"It's definitely happening... July 4th. America's 250th birthday. Live on CBS from the White House," said Dana White.
Jon Jones and Conor McGregor aim for UFC return at Casa Branca
The possibility of being part of a historic card has rekindled the interest of fighters whose return to the octagon seemed unlikely. This is the case of Jon Jones e Conor McGregor, who have already returned to the Ultimate's anti-doping testing program with the aim of fighting at the White House event.
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