UFC boss Dana White has built a strong relationship with ESPN, but after Netflix's success this weekend, he now has to consider his broadcast options.
YouTube star Jake Paul put on a pedestrian performance to top Mike Tyson last Friday, with the pair headlining Netflix's first-ever live boxing event.
Shortly afterwards, the streaming juggernaut revealed their staggering viewing figures, claiming the controversial showdown was watched live in more than 60 million homes.
Not only that, but an estimated 108 million people watched the main event, making Netflix a real player in the world of martial arts.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix © 2024
Dana White comes from ESPN, but recognizes Netflix's potential impact
The undercard of Paul vs. Tyson was actually far more compelling than the main event, with Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano putting on a riveting ten-round spectacle.
Additionally, their undisputed super lightweight match will likely be the most watched professional women's sporting event in US history, according to Netflix.
And so it's perhaps not surprising that Netflix has now expanded into other sports, striking deals to stream live NFL games and WWE events.
Dana White, meanwhile, will look to renegotiate his UFC broadcast deal in 2025 in hopes of extending his stable relationship with ESPN.
However, like the NFL and WWE, there is real potential for the UFC to spread itself across different broadcast partners.
And with Netflix emerging as the new kid on the block, it's not out of the question that streaming will dominate martial arts in the coming years.
“I always thought Netflix was crazy for not getting into live sports sooner than they did,” White told Sports Business Journal. “These guys really have a global footprint. It was a great success.”
“If we start our negotiations in 2025, this could play out in many different ways. Obviously we could be with Disney and ESPN for many more years, or you could see all of our content get chopped up like WWE and NFL.
“I don't know how that will play out as we get closer to these negotiations, but it is a possibility.”
Will streaming platforms take over martial arts?
Combat sports fans have been complaining for years about the cost of pay-per-view events, with the price seemingly showing no signs of coming down.
But now you could say that streaming platforms represent the future, with DAZN quickly becoming one of the biggest broadcasters in boxing.
After all, Queensberry Promotions boss Frank Warren will appear on the platform next year alongside his former rival, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.
Still, after complaints were made about the buffering on the Netflix stream for Paul vs. Tyson, it seems like streaming needs some refinement.
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