The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has renewed one of its long-standing European media arrangements, putting pen to paper with Russia’s Match TV.
Match TV announced the renewal in late December, announcing that it will exclusively broadcast 40 UFC events in addition to promotional material and original programming like UFC Countdown and UC Connected.
UFC first partnered with Match TV in 2022. The deal is one of the few media arrangements between a Russian outlet and Western-based sports organisation to remain in place following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the same year the first partnership was signed.
MMA’s extensive following in Russia and the presence of several prominent Russian MMA fighters in the UFC – including current lightweight champion Islam Mackhachev – are likely key reasons why UFC has maintained a Russian media presence over recent years.
Alexander Taschin, Match TV General Producer, said: “This is a gift for all fans of mixed martial arts in our country. There are a lot of bright Russian fighters in the UFC, and the cards always attract a huge interest from the audience in Russia.”
Match TV’s coverage will commence with UFC 311, scheduled to take place on 18 January in Inglewood, California. The event’s headline fight will see the aforementioned Makhachev defend his lightweight title against fellow Russian Arman Tsarukyan.
The event will also see Russia’s Umar Nurmagomedov – cousin of undefeated former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov – take on current welterweight champion Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia.
UFC’s partnership with Match TV is its first media rights announcement in some time, with most of its recent commercial developments being sponsorship deals with the likes of Corpay and Pepperstone, whilst it also signed a technology deal with IBM late last year.
According to SportBusiness, Match TV’s new deal will also include nine other countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a political and economic trade bloc consisting of former USSR nations.
David Shaw, UFC Executive Vice-President of International and Content, said: “Match TV has been a great partner for us over the years, helping us grow the sport and brand through their broad reach and deep, professional coverage.
“We couldn’t start 2025 better than with two title fights featuring Russian athletes at UFC 311. We look forward to continuing to delight our fans in the region through our partnership with Match TV.”
