Dana White Drops Bomb About New Paramount Deal: “Pay-Per-View is Not Dead”

UFC CEO Dana White reveals surprising twist on pay-per-view exclusion in new Paramount streaming deal.

Dana White Drops Bomb About New Paramount Deal: “Pay-Per-View is Not Dead”

Dana White believes the pay-per-view model isn't gone (via X)

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After months of speculation surrounding the UFC’s broadcasting deal, head honcho Dana White has officially announced a landmark agreement with Paramount and CBS. Reports confirm the seven-year contract is valued at $7.7 billion, introducing significant changes to the current broadcasting and distribution standard. A major talking point is the removal of the pay-per-view model in the United States, though in reality, it’s not entirely accurate.

Under this deal, Paramount will become the streaming platform for all 13 major numbered cards and 30 Fight Nights annually starting in 2026. However, it seems the promotion, which has been using the pay-per-view model since its inception in 1993, doesn’t wish to abandon it just yet. In a recent interview with The New York Post, White talked about the new broadcast deal and also hinted at potential changes in the future.

There’s no pay-per-view involved in this deal. Let’s say there’s a scenario –– I am involved in boxing, I am involved in slapping, I am involved in jiu-jitsu and I’m involved in the UFC. What I love about this business is, I can lay out what we think the fights are going to be for a year, and a fight will pop up that I never saw coming. A star will pop up out of somewhere. Anything is possible. And you could do a one-off pay-per-view. I am going to be on pay-per-view this Saturday. Pay-Per-View is not dead.

Dana White via New York Post Sports

For the unversed, the removal of the traditional pay-per-view format gives subscribers full access without extra fees. Under the new deal, one can get access to almost every UFC card with a $12.99 Paramount subscription without any extra charge. This would create a far more cost-effective experience for fans compared to paying a hefty amount every month.

For the unversed, fans had to pay $79.99 extra to get access to every UFC pay-per-view as of late, alongside the monthly subscription fee for the ESPN platform. Financially, the new deal doubles the annual revenue of the previous ESPN agreement, delivering unprecedented guaranteed income for the promotion and its ownership group.

This deal could positively impact UFC fighter pay by significantly expanding the organization’s revenue pool through its agreement with Paramount. Dana White’s longtime rival, Jake Paul, used the announcement to encourage fighters to demand higher compensation and improved contractual benefits. It remains to be seen how this situation evolves and whether fighters actually secure better deals in the coming years.

Dana White is planning the UFC White House event for CBS 

The UFC’s much-anticipated White House event is scheduled for July 4, 2026, marking a historic first for the promotion’s history. Dana White has expressed enormous excitement for the occasion, citing his long-standing personal and professional friendship with President Donald Trump. White plans to make the event surpass even Noche UFC, promising a patriotic spectacle filled with blockbuster fights and celebrity appearances.

Dana White gives an update on the White House event
Dana White gives an update on the White House event (via X)

Fans expect some of the best American fighters to feature on the card, making the White House event a patriotic showcase. In a recent interview, White discussed the historic Paramount-CBS deal while also sharing exciting updates about the upcoming White House event.

No, I didn’t think this is where we’d end up but this is sort of how it played out. I love it. These guys are obviously very smart guys, very aggressive and when you think about streaming, streaming’s incredible. That (White House event) might be on CBS. Think about that. Fight card from the White House, live and free on CBS the network. Come on!!

Dana White via The Pat McAfee Show

Top fighters like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor have expressed interest in competing at the White House event next year. White has already denied Jones the opportunity, though the former heavyweight champion remains optimistic about returning for a high-profile fight. Tom Aspinall has declined to face Jones, citing their previous drama, stalled negotiations, and months of wasted time in his prime.

Meanwhile, the Irishman has reentered the testing pool and posted multiple training clips to signal his intentions for an upcoming fight. However, fans and analysts mocked McGregor’s footage, criticizing him for appearing sluggish, slow, and lacking his trademark explosive movement.

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