Dana White makes huge UFC announcement that will completely change the future of MMA

Dana White has announced a 'historic' new UFC deal that will drastically change the MMA promotion.

The UFC sets up shop in Chicago, Illinois, for this weekend's blockbuster UFC 319 event, which is headlined by the middleweight championship bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.

Just days before UFC 319, White has taken to social media to announce a 'historic' new deal that is worth billions of dollars.

In the United States, the UFC are currently broadcast on ESPN, who had been paying an average of $500 million for five years of UFC rights. The deal expires at the end of 2025.

UFC's bigwigs and TKO Group chiefs have been negotiating behind the scenes ahead of entering a new partnership in 2026.

And after several months of discussions, the UFC have come to terms to a blockbuster deal.

UFC's broadcast deal with ESPN expires at the end of 2025. Image: Getty

The UFC have agreed a deal with Paramount, who have acquired the US rights to the MMA leaders for $7.7 billion over seven years, beginning in 2026.

The agreement is for all 43 annual UFC live events, which will be exclusively streamed in the US on Paramount+.

That means the new Paramount deal will eliminate the pay-per-view model, making all numbered events available for no extra charge on Paramount+ in a seismic shift from their current deal with ESPN, who air UFC's marque events, including the aforementioned UFC 319, on PPV.

According to a report from CNBC, Paramount is paying an average of $1.1 billion per year for UFC's full slate of 13 numbered events and 30 fight nights.

Dana White has released a statement following UFC's lucrative deal with Paramount. Image: Getty

In a statement, White said: "The historic deal for Paramount and CBS fans is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes.

"For the first time ever, fans in the US will have access to all UFC content without a pay-per-view model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform.

“This deal puts UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world. The exposure provided by the Paramount and CBS networks under this new structure is a huge win for our athletes and anyone who watches and loves this sport.”

TKO Group's president and chief operating officer Mark Shapiro added: "The pay-per-view model is a thing of the past.

"What’s on pay-per-view anymore? Boxing? Movies on DirecTV? It’s an outdated, antiquated model. So, it was paramount to us - forgive the pun - where it’s one-stop shopping, especially for our younger fans in flyover states. When they find out, 'Wait, if I just sign up for Paramount+ for $12.99 a month, I’m going to automatically get UFC’s numbered fights and the rest of the portfolio?' That’s a message we want to amplify."

What does UFC's deal with Paramount mean for fans in the UK and the rest of the world?

UFC's hugely lucrative deal with Paramount is just for the US market.

But, per a press release, the media company intends to explore UFC rights outside America as they become available in the future.

Paramount is interested in buying UFC's international rights to pair with the US deal.

According to CNBC's report, those rights arise on a rolling basis, with about one-third of them available each year. The UFC are currently available in more than 210 countries.

The UFC have separate TV deals with different territories outside the US, including TNT Sports in the United Kingdom.

It remains to be seen whether Paramount swoop in and secure different rights in other markets outside the US.