First WWE Smackdown scores a billion-dollar deal, and now the UFC has followed suit.
According to Fortune, ESPN and UFC have reached a $1.5 billion deal that will see ESPN airing and streaming 30 fights per year starting in 2019.
Back in early May, it was noted that ESPN’s subscription service ESPN+ had landed a deal to distribute UFC content and special programming titled “UFC on ESPN+ Fight Night.” The programming will include 15 live events each boasting a full 12 fight card.
When the ESPN deal was announced, it remained to be seen how FOX would play into possible renegotiations with UFC for the rest of its content, but with the recent announcement of FOX’s deal with the WWE, reportedly inking a $1 billion deal to bring Smackdown to the network in 2019, it appeared unlikely the network would retain the MMA juggernaut’s TV rights.