Zuffa Boxing follows UFC to Skydance’s Paramount following the success of its first card.
Zuffa Boxing has announced Paramount will become its exclusive streaming and television partner across the US, Canada and Latin America.
The deal was unveiled by TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of Zuffa Boxing, on September 29. It is set to begin in January 2026, the same month Paramount’s seven-year broadcast rights agreement with UFC, also owned by TKO, goes live.
Initial plans include 12 fight cards, which will be available on Paramount+, the company’s direct-to-consumer streaming service. Select events may also be simulcast on CBS and other Paramount platforms.
Zuffa Boxing was formed through a partnership between TKO and Sela, a Saudi entertainment conglomerate. The company is led by UFC president and CEO Dana White, Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and owner of The Ring, Sela Managing Director and CEO Rakan AlHarthy, and WWE president Nick Khan, who also sits on TKO’s board.
“This partnership with Paramount reinforces our vision to redefine the way viewers consume boxing,” said Alalshikh.
His comment reflects a shift in TKO’s strategy to make combat sports more accessible. Starting in January, UFC’s numbered events, including Fight Nights, will no longer be pay-per-view. They’ll be included in Paramount’s subscription offering.
White has clarified one-off PPV events could still happen under special circumstances, such as the proposed White House fight card.
Alalshikh added the move would allow more fans to access live fights, saying: “We have seen the proof that the appetite is there, this is the future for live boxing coverage and will ensure the sport continues to thrive.”
His remarks hint at the success of Zuffa Boxing’s debut event, which aired on Netflix and featured Terence Crawford defeating Canelo Alvarez on September 13. According to Netflix, the fight drew more than 41 million viewers globally, including around 20 million in the US. The main event averaged 36.6 million viewers per minute.
Is Paramount the new home of combat sports?
While it may appear that TKO is placing its eggs in one basket, at least two of the three, there are strategic advantages to bringing UFC and Zuffa Boxing under one broadcast partner.
Both sports share a large crossover audience and placing them behind a single subscription could help combat sports thrive in a market historically fragmented by paywalls and platform exclusivity.
The deal also leaves room for global flexibility. Since Paramount’s agreement covers only the Americas, platforms like Netflix could continue to acquire international rights. Zuffa’s first card ranked as the top programme in 30 countries, including the UK, Argentina, Australia, Ireland and the Philippines. It also appeared in the top ten programmes in 91 countries.
“I’m excited to bring great boxing events to a global audience,” said White. “There are millions of boxing fans that will now be able to watch competitive fights with up-and-coming boxers as well as the biggest stars in the sport. Paramount will be the home for UFC and boxing fans to watch the greatest fights in combat sports.”
Looking at Paramount, this partnership is a significant win. Earlier this month, reports emerged that Paramount Skydance is preparing a bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, a merger which could create one of the world’s largest media conglomerates.
Warner Bros Discovery owns TNT and TBS, which hold rights to MLB, NHL, NASCAR, All Elite Wrestling, the four tennis Grand Slams and US soccer matches. In the UK, TNT broadcasts the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UFC and Premiership Rugby.
If the merger goes through, Paramount wouldn’t just become the home of fighting, but would own one of the most powerful sports portfolios.
“Paramount has long been a leader in sports and sports storytelling, and this partnership marks a bold new chapter – not just for us, but for the future of boxing,” said Cindy Holland, Chair of Direct-to-Consumer for Paramount, a Skydance Corporation.
“It’s a partnership that advances several of our core priorities: delivering premium sports to fans, providing audiences with year-round marquee live events, and creating long-term value through a differentiated, must-watch portfolio of content.
“By combining TKO and Zuffa Boxing’s world-class production and promotional capabilities with our subscribers’ passion for sports, we are confident we will deliver something truly special to boxing fans throughout the US, Canada, and Latin America for years to come.”
