A years-long flirtation became a legitimate pact in 2018.
The UFC and ESPN, who had been circling one another for a while, finally teamed up in earnest. The biggest MMA promotion in the world signed a broadcast and streaming U.S. distribution deal with the largest sports network in the world in May. The scope of the contract was enormous — $1.5 billion over five years. The deal begins Jan. 1 and the UFC and ESPN together will now shape the future of mixed martial arts for the foreseeable future.
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When the UFC left Spike TV for FOX Sports in 2011, it was groundbreaking for the sport.