The UFC's temporary employment contract with ESPN is at the end of the year.
In 2019, the UFC went from their fighting on FOX Sports to ESPN and its streaming platform ESPN+.
After six years of partnership, the UFC may be able to continue ESPN and find a new streaming house, such as Netflix, Amazon or HBO Max, in 2026.
The ESPN deal of the UFC has not been perfect, with the TKO Group president ESPN's 'aggressive' UFC PPV price policy blaming for the explosion of illegal streaming, but the partnership has certainly helped to get more exposure because of the accessibility on ESPN+ and Spotlightt on shows.
For a long time UFC commentator Joe Rogan has tackled the streaming future of the UFC.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Joe Rogan hopes that UFC again draws with ESPN in the midst of 'Talk of Netflix'
As Rogan noted, streaming gigantic Netflix could possibly be in the race for UFC, given how the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Boxing Match became the most streamed fight in history last November.
“I wonder what will happen if the UFC does not extend the ESPN contract,” Rogan told Khalil Rountree Jr. About the Joe Rogan experience #168.
“There is this negotiation thing that is now ongoing, and I don't know where they are going to land.
“One of the things we benefit from is ESPN, not only as the host of the fighting, but also about the fighting. All extra reporting, all Sportscenter talk, all the different shows they have at ESPN+, the post-fighting shows …
“They are all huge,” said Rogan.
“The breakdowns, people love those s-. They love the pre-Fight breakdowns. Alan Jouban, Rashad Evans …”
“It has to linger, man,” said Rountree Jr.
“I hope so,” said Rogan about the UFC who possibly signed their temporary employment contract with ESPN.
“I love ESPN. I like to get it from the app. It's easy,” Rogan added.
UFC's pay-per-view price on ESPN is currently $ 79.99
It is 2025 and the pay-per-view model is not as popular as it once was.
Illegal streaming has risen in recent years and the price of the UFC for its ESPN+ Pay-per-views continues to grow.
Prior to the UFC temporary employment contract with ESPN Costs UFC Pay-per-Views fans $ 59.99.
In 2020 the PPV price rose to $ 64.99 and the price continued to rise to $ 79.99, where it is currently.