UFC signs historic broadcast rights deal – everything you need to know.

Mixed Martial Arts

Paddy Pimblett acknowledges that because he’s ranked No. 9, others are more deserving of a title shot against UFC Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, but “posh boy” Arman Tsarukyan isn’t one of them.

“Little rich boy Arman showing how desperate he is, offering him a million pounds to fight. Spoiled rich baby, trying to pay their way out of things; that’s why he quit when he was making weight in a bath like a little b**ch.”

Arman Tsarukyan responds to Paddy Pimblett:

Chael Sonnen says that MMA fighters are ‘fake tough guys’.

“I have personally never been around a faker group of tough guys than MMA fighters. To watch some of these guys, you get called to work 3x a year and of those 3x, they don’t show up. These aren’t real tough guys.”

Kamaru Usman says that Dan Hooker, Mateusz Gamrot, Beneil Dariush are all deserving of UFC Lightweight title shots over Paddy Pimblett. Usman says to give Pimblett the opportunity spits in the face of the merit of the best fighting the next best guy.

Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t seem worried about UFC Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in their bout on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, IL.

“[Rob Whittaker] fought Dricus for how many minutes? Dricus been taken down from Rob. Rob didn’t get me even [with] one punch. Why should you prepare for a war? If you want to win, you have to prepare to kill.”

Dricus du Plessis isn’t trying to look pretty in the octagon.

“No retreat, just throwing caution to the wind. I’m not there to look pretty when I’m fighting; I’m there to fight and win at all costs. I can fight like a crazy person because I train like a crazy person.”

Dricus du Plessis says he was hoping Khamzat Chimaev would stay undefeated so he could be the one to give him [Chimaev] his first loss. 

Khamzat Chimaev says that Dricus du Plessis has never fought anyone undefeated.

“He don’t know how to fight. I don’t know how to lose.”

Paramount has secured exclusive U.S. rights to UFC events for seven years starting in 2026 in a deal worth $7.7 billion, replacing the current ESPN partnership and eliminating pay-per-view fees by streaming all content on Paramount+ and select CBS broadcasts. The deal includes 13 marquee UFC events and 30 ‘Fight Nights’ per year and was negotiated just two days after Paramount’s merger with Skydance was finalized. The agreement supports Paramount’s strategy of driving subscriptions through year-round live sports content with UFC providing 43 events and 350 hours of programming annually. TKO, which owns both UFC and WWE, had initially planned to split the rights but opted for a full-package deal with Paramount due to the scarcity of premium sports rights. Internationally, Paramount is also pursuing UFC broadcasting rights as they become available on a rolling basis, with a 30-day exclusive negotiation window for each country.

Dana White shares his thoughts on the new UFC broadcast rights deal: 

Dana White on the future of UFC events.

"It's looking like we're going to  do four big events a year (on CBS). We're talking about doing a fight at the White House next year on the 4th of July, the 250th anniversary of America. So imagine a massive fight on the lawn of the White House on CBS. We basically go every Saturday. So when you're asking about seasons and off time, there is no off time for the UFC. We go every Saturday. I'm always looking to put on the biggest and best events and, you know, for the card from the bottom all the way to the top. We're going to do some amazing things over the next several years with Paramount and CBS, and I'm always looking to bring in the best talent and put on the greatest fights."

TKO COO Mark Shapiro on why the UFC moved with Paramount+ & CBS.

“The PPV model is a thing of the past. It’s an outdated, antiquated model. It was paramount to us where it’s one-stop shopping. 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.”

Dricus du Plessis on his UFC wins vs Khamzat Chimaev.

“If you go look at me and Khamzat, he’s eight wins in the UFC, I’m nine. Just go compare our resumes, it’s ridiculous.”

Charles Oliveira says many fighters wouldn’t go to Brazil to fight and he was offered many names but none of them accepted.

“They poke around, talk sh*t from the other side. [Dan Hooker] is just talking for a long time, a guy who speaks a lot of nonsense on the internet but when he’s called, he doesn’t go.”

Jon Jones says it’s a huge compliment that Khamzat Chimaev calls him the scariest fighter in the UFC.

“It says a lot about his character, his humility, to compliment someone in such a huge way. I’m very grateful and honoured.”

Boxing

Eddie Hearn says Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul could very well happen in 2026.

“They actually think they can beat him. I think there’s a very good chance you’re going to see it next year. Early next year.”

Jaron ‘Boots’ Dennis vs Uisma Lima is announced for October 11, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA in a WBA super-welterweight title eliminator.

Culture

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