The Future of MMA is Here: UFC Signs Exclusive Streaming Contract with Paramount+
Combat and fighting sports fans finally have a new home when the fan favorite spectacle is concerned. The official rights for the streaming of the most popular MMA promotion have been sold out, as UFC joins a streaming giant. Fresh off their billion dollar move with the animated sitcom South Park, Paramount+ has snagged another big name and added the streaming rights to their library of content. The merger between the two sides is an immense step forward for both as it brings together two of the biggest industries in entertainment in sports, and streaming.
Are you a fan of UFC or sports in general? If you already have a subscription, you can shortly begin to enjoy the fights no matter the time or place. And to make things even more advantageous for the fans, thanks to the deal that UFC has with the online casino and sportsbook Stake.com, it is now even easier to follow the fights while placing bets and waiting for the outcome. Read on to learn more about this huge deal, and make sure to consider subscribing to Paramount+ before the next big MMA event.
Details on the UFC and Paramount+ Merge
A few days ago, on August 11, Skydance Corporation and TKO Group Holdings, Inc. announced a seven year media rights agreement. According to the deal, Paramount will become the exclusive home of all UFC events in the USA. The North American country is by far the biggest market for the promotion, which means that there was hardly a better deal available to make. Starting in 2026, the platform will exclusively distribute the entire lineup of 13 marquee numbered events, as well as 30 Fight Nights. The move has an average annual value (AAV) of $1.1 billion ($7.7 billion total), and the contract’s payment schedule is weighted more toward the back end of the deal, the second half of the seven years, meaning closer to the 2030-2033 span.
The direct to consumer streaming platform, Paramount+, has been getting a lot of attention as of late, with this being one of the most significant moves in its history. Select numbered events will also be simulcast on CBS, the leading broadcast network under the Paramount umbrella. As part of the deal, the two sides will move away from the existing, long time model of Pay Per View, as they look to make premium events available at no additional cost to the increasing USA subscriber base of Paramount+. Engagement will be wider, and the platform is expecting a big influx of new subscribers due to UFC coming on board, as the company also looks to explore rights outside of the USA in the future. It is similar to the UFC partnership with Stake, when they became the exclusive betting partner in South America and now have their logo in the octagon, but are looking for even more representation.
David Elison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, said the following on the deal: “I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark. Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC, an organization with extraordinary global recognition, scale, and cultural impact. Paramount’s advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms. Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy, driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year round must watch events to our platforms is a major win. We look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S., and potentially beyond.” He also described UFC in a great way, saying it is “a unicorn asset that comes up about once a decade.”
Executive Chair and CEO of TKO, Ariel Emanuel, added, “This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset. Our decade long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy. We believe wholeheartedly in David’s vision and look forward to being in business with a company that will prioritize technology as a means to enhance storytelling and the overall viewing experience.”
Adding to the comments, there was also Mark Shapiro, the President and COO of TKO. He said, “Paramount is a platinum partner with significant reach. Our new agreement unlocks powerful opportunities at TKO for years to come, meaningful economics for investors, expanded premium inventory for global brand partners, and deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fanbase. Just as importantly, our athletes will love this new stage.” Talking about the old model, he did not hold back, saying, “The pay per view model is a thing of the past. What’s on pay per view anymore? Boxing? Movies on DirecTV? It’s an outdated, antiquated model. So, it was paramount to us, forgive the pun, where it’s one stop shopping, especially for our younger fans in flyover states. When they find out, ‘Wait, if I just sign up for Paramount+ for $12.99 a month, I’m going to automatically get UFC’s numbered fights and the rest of the portfolio?’ That’s a message we want to amplify.”
Stake’s Live Sports Streaming Service
Considering the topic of conversation is the live streaming of popular sports, and that UFC has a deal with a big online sports betting platform that also offers streaming, it makes sense to talk about the partnership between the two and what the sportsbook offers. Not many, not even the biggest gambling and betting fans, do not know that Stake can also, legally and for free, stream some of the biggest events and fixtures on there. And you may think there is a catch, but there is not. You do not even have to place a bet to do it.
Stake is great for official sports teams due to its comprehensive coverage of all major events. Enthusiasts and fans can live stream online without paying anything by visiting the live events section and choosing from the wide and expansive range of available streams of matches that are currently in progress. It is very easy to do, so here is a step by step instructional guide on how to watch free live sports streams while betting on your favorite competition or team.
Go to Stake’s service and open the live events tab. Check out the events that are happening at that time. Use the sports category menu to pick the sport you want. For example, you can live stream football, basketball, tennis, baseball, and many other sports. Current live fixtures will be listed, complete with odds and scores if it has already begun. If the stream is available for the game in question, an icon will be shown. Select it to open the stream. You will be able to move the video player around or use the full screen option. Users can change volume and pause the stream at any point.
If you are wondering how Stake can do it for free, it is thanks to their on demand sports platform. There are no fees or subs needed like Fox Sports, ESPN, or Sky require. A host of premium sports content can be directly watched on the sportsbook any day of the week, at the same time as you are choosing the bets to make.
Paramount+ and South Park
While it does not have anything to do with South Park, although the popular show kind of has to do a little bit with everything, it is worth noting what else the streaming giant has done. The five year exclusive streaming agreement will see the two sides tramp up in a $1.5 billion total, about $300 million per year. The previous HBO Max deal expired in June of 2025, so Paramount Global struck the new agreement with Trey Parker and Matt Stone via Park County, their production company. As for the details, it is great for Patamount+ users. Not only does it include future content, like the current season 27 and onwards, but the entire library of all the previous 26 seasons, as well as specials and movies.
Speaking of new content, Park County committed to delivering 10 new episodes per year, totaling 50 new episodes over the five years until 2030. However, Comedy Central will remain in the mix as the traditional broadcast home. Paramount only holds the streaming exclusivity, which in this day and age is the best possible thing for a big show, and not many are bigger than the legendary South Park. New episodes will premiere on Comedy Central first, and become available on Paramount+ the following day. The impact of the new deal could already be felt with the season 27 premiere on July 23, with the already iconic Donald Trump episode.
Similar to what the UFC merger will do for combat sports and the sports industry as a whole, the sitcom deal does for comedy on the streaming service. South Park becomes a flagship for Paramount+, which will help it compete against rivals like Disney+, Netflix, and HBO Max. Just like UFC, South Park is enough on its own for the monthly subscription fee, let alone everything else that comes along. The streaming wars are constantly ongoing, and this is another power play that Paramount has been able to achieve. Most importantly, Trey and Mark continue to solely lead creatively with their content, including the biting satire and social commentary, which remains uncensored.
The Best Paramount+ Originals
Over the years, Paramount+ has come up with some great content, mainly original series. Both popular and critically acclaimed, here is a list of the best that the streaming platform has to offer when original content is in question:
| Series Title | Genre / Highlight | Why It Stands Out |
| Special Ops: Lioness | Political Thriller | Record breaking premiere, high viewership |
| Knuckles | Action / Comedy | Sonic spin off; Idris Elba praised |
| Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Sci‑fi Adventure | Critically acclaimed; franchise favorite |
| 1923 | Western Drama | Star studded, emotionally rich Yellowstone prequel |
| Lawmen: Bass Reeves | Western Biopic | Unique historical Western, strong storytelling |
| Mayor of Kingstown | Crime / Social Thriller | Raw, intense, and thought provoking |
| 1883 | Western Drama | Foundational Yellowstone universe piece; Oregon Trail epic |
| Frasier (2023 Revival) | Sitcom | Nostalgic revival, though short lived |
| Evil | Supernatural / Psychological Thriller | Smart take on faith vs. science |
| RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars | Reality / Competition | Long running drag fan favorite |
| Wolf Pack | Supernatural Teen Thriller | Dark mythology, standout cast |
| The Stand | Apocalyptic Drama | Epic scale King adaptation |
Paramount FAQs
- What is Paramount?
Paramount is a major American film and television production company, known for producing and distributing movies, TV shows, and other media content. It’s one of the oldest and most influential studios in Hollywood. - Who owns Paramount?
Paramount is owned by Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS), a media conglomerate that also owns CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Showtime, and other entertainment brands. - What are some famous movies produced by Paramount?
Paramount has produced and distributed many iconic films, including “Titanic,” “Top Gun,” “Transformers,” “Indiana Jones,” and the “Mission: Impossible” series. - Where is Paramount Pictures located?
Paramount Pictures is headquartered in Hollywood, California, at 5555 Melrose Avenue, where it also operates the historic Paramount Studios lot. - Is Paramount the same as Paramount+?
Not exactly. Paramount refers to the broader entertainment company, while Paramount+ is its streaming service. Paramount+ features content from Paramount Pictures and other ViacomCBS networks. - Can you tour the Paramount Studios?
Yes, Paramount Studios in Hollywood offers public tours, where visitors can see behind the scenes of working sets, historic stages, and learn about the studio’s history. - What TV networks are part of Paramount Global?
Paramount Global owns multiple networks, including CBS, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and Showtime, among others. - What is Paramount+?
Paramount+ is a subscription based streaming service offering TV shows, movies, live sports, and original content from brands like CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures. - How much does Paramount+ cost?
Pricing can vary by region and plan. In the U.S., plans typically start at $5.99/month (with ads) and go up to $11.99/month for the ad free version with Showtime included. - What shows and movies are on Paramount+?
Paramount+ features a wide range of content, including original series like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Halo, and 1883, as well as access to classic Paramount movies and live sports like the NFL and UEFA Champions League.
