The UFC and ESPN announced a groundbreaking new distribution deal Monday, one that will greatly change the way consumers watch UFC pay-per-view events.
Beginning next month with UFC 236, all UFC PPV cards will only be available for purchase on the ESPN+ digital streaming service in the United States. Fans must subscribe to ESPN+ in order to buy pay-per-view cards, which will be slightly discounted from the norm. In addition, the UFC and ESPN extended their multi-billion dollar pact for two more years, until 2025.
Here’s a guide to what has changed, why it will be different moving forward and how it will affect the UFC, fighters and fans with exclusive quotes from UFC chief operating officer Lawrence Epstein.