UFC’s New Era: Jon Anik Reveals Paramount Deal and 2026 Storylines
The UFC is entering a transformative new era as it moves towards 2026. A significant shift is the decision to end the pay-per-view model, which could reshape the landscape of mixed martial arts. This change comes alongside the UFC’s new media rights agreement with Paramount, announced in August 2023.
UFC’s New Media Rights Deal with Paramount
The UFC finalized a seven-year media rights contract with Paramount, valued at $7.7 billion. This deal marks a pivotal moment for the organization, as it transitions from traditional pay-per-view to a subscription model. Under this arrangement, subscribers to Paramount+ can watch all numbered events and UFC Fight Nights. Some of the major events will also be available on CBS.
Impact on Fans and Events
- Numbered events will see a schedule of 13 events in 2026, previously sold as pay-per-views.
- The change aims to broaden the UFC’s audience, leveraging Paramount’s 80 million subscribers.
- The main cards for events will now start at 9 p.m. ET, providing an earlier experience for East Coast viewers.
The UFC has historically hosted around 42 events yearly, a trend expected to continue, with UFC 325 slated for January 31, 2026, and UFC 326 on March 7, 2026.
Champion Landscape as 2026 Approaches
As the UFC gears up for 2026, several champions stand out in their respective divisions. Notably, only one champion from 2025, Valentina Shevchenko in the women’s flyweight category, retained her title throughout the year.
| Division | Champion |
|---|---|
| Men’s Heavyweight | Tom Aspinall |
| Men’s Light Heavyweight | Alex Pereira |
| Men’s Middleweight | Khamzat Chimaev |
| Men’s Welterweight | Islam Makhachev |
| Men’s Lightweight | Ilia Topuria |
| Men’s Featherweight | Alexander Volkanovski |
| Men’s Bantamweight | Petr Yan |
| Men’s Flyweight | Joshua Van |
| Women’s Strawweight | Mackenzie Dern |
| Women’s Flyweight | Valentina Shevchenko |
| Women’s Bantamweight | Kayla Harrison |
Expectations for the Future
Jon Anik, the UFC’s lead commentator, expresses high hopes for the UFC’s future. He believes the switch to a subscription model will attract new fans, making the sport more accessible.
- UFC’s ambition includes positioning itself among North America’s top professional sports leagues.
- Fans can look forward to higher production quality, with enhanced graphics and new broadcast personalities.
- There is excitement surrounding the potential narrative and storylines in 2026.
This revamped framework provides an opportunity for the UFC to strengthen its foothold in the sports industry. As it evolves into this new era, the organization aims to capitalize on its expanding platform and athlete appeal.
