Paramount’s broadcast rights deal with the UFC just got bigger, expanding into two key UFC markets which could set to increase even further across the globe once the deal kicks in next year.
Paramount has extended its new seven-year broadcast rights deal with the UFC to include coverage across Latin America and Australia.
Confirmed on October 28 by TKO Group – parent company of UFC – Paramount is set to broadcast all UFC numbered events and Fight Night cards in Latin American countries and Australia when the deal begins in 2026.
Paramount’s seven-year broadcast deal with the UFC was signed in August 2025 and is worth $7.7bn ($1.1bn per-year).
This meant for the first time in the company’s history, UFC will move away from a pay-per-view model for its numbered events (UFC 320 e.g.) to land on Paramount’s streaming service Paramount+, which will be available to LatAm and Australian customers now.
Furthermore, they will also be able to watch 30 UFC Fight Night events live on Paramount+, which the company stated comes with no additional costs, just a standard subscription package.
“The partnership with Paramount has already been incredible and it just keeps getting bigger and better,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White.
“They are now taking on new territories like Latin America and Australia and this thing is just going to continue to grow. It just shows you how aggressive they are with this business, and I love it. I can’t wait to continue working together and building the next generation of talent all over the world.”
Securing two key markets
The expansion of Paramount and UFC’s broadcast rights deal to LatAm and Australia is key to continuing not only Paramount’s growth under the new ownership of Skydance, but also the consolidation of two key markets for the UFC.
Australia has been the home of many notable UFC events and fighters, including current UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Likewise, LatAm countries such as Brazil also hold great significance to the company, with legendary fighters like Anderson Silva and current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira helping to continue the legacy of mixed martial arts as one of the country’s most popular sports.
ESPN previously held the rights to broadcast UFC events in Australia and New Zealand, while in Brazil, the company ended its broadcast deal with Band in January 2025 with one year remaining on the three-year deal.
TKO Group revealed details on the first UFC events to stream live on Paramount+ in LatAm and Australia will be announced in coming weeks.
Could the UK be next?
Within the initial agreement between the UFC and Paramount, the media company expressed an interest in acquiring “global” rights to broadcast UFC events.
With LatAm and Australia being the first two markets as part of this internationalisation push, the UK’s broadcast rights are owned by TNT Sports UK.
The UFC and TNT Sports extended a broadcast rights agreement in 2022 as part of a “multi-year” deal, however, it did not explicitly outline when this agreement would expire. Paramount also has the opportunity to bid for UK rights once they become available.
“Delivering premium UFC programming to audiences on a global scale remains a top priority for Paramount,” said Cindy Holland, Chair of Direct-To-Consumer, Paramount.
Skydance Paramount is one of the more prominent suitors interested in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of TNT Sports UK.
Skydance Paramount reportedly lodged a fresh $60bn bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery which was ultimately rejected. Despite this, CEO David Ellison is keen to keep Warner Bros. Discovery’s new strategy of splitting its two separate divisions; Streaming & Studios and Global Networks, intact if a deal can be agreed upon.
If Skydance Paramount is successful in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, it may become a formality that the UK rights for UFC could land on Paramount.
