Dana White May Replace ESPN+ With Netflix for UFC Soon
Dana White isn’t a man to mince words. Due to persistent streaming problems, the UFC is reportedly tired of ESPN+ and may be trying to sign a new broadcasting agreement with Netflix. The New York Post’s Erich Richter reports that the MMA group feels ESPN has not fulfilled its obligations under their exclusive five-year broadcast rights […] The post Dana White May Replace ESPN+ With Netflix for UFC Soon appeared first on BlackSportsOnline.
UnmutedSports
Dana White isn’t a man to mince words. Due to persistent streaming problems, the UFC is reportedly tired of ESPN+ and may be trying to sign a new broadcasting agreement with Netflix. The New York Post’s Erich Richter reports that the MMA group feels ESPN has not fulfilled its obligations under their exclusive five-year broadcast rights contract, which started in 2019.
Dana White
ESPN and its streaming service, ESPN+, have been the sole suppliers of UFC pay-per-views and live events under this agreement. However, the collaboration has been beset by ongoing technical issues, such as low video quality, lag, and connection drops.
UFC competitors, not just Dana White, attack ESPN+
Serious streaming issues triggered outrage at last weekend’s UFC event, which featured Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev. Even UFC competitors criticized ESPN+ on social media for not providing a seamless viewing experience. As every significant UFC event on ESPN+ has become synonymous with technical issues, fans have also voiced their anger.
ESPN recently announced plans to discontinue coverage of Major League Baseball in 2026 in favor of the NBA, WNBA, NFL, and college football, suggesting that the network is shifting its attention toward basketball. As a result of this change, the UFC is even more unhappy with its current broadcast partner.
A few inside details of the UFCs issues with ESPN from @erichterrr/@nypost
The UFC are still extremely upset with ESPN over the PPV issues during the Pereira v Ankalaev card
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) March 15, 2025
According to reports, TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of the UFC, is making a lot of effort to get a deal with Netflix.
This would fit in with Netflix’s expanding goals in the sports streaming space after it successfully purchased the rights to the NFL’s Christmas Day games and the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson bout.
Given its growing presence in live sports, Netflix is a natural choice for the UFC, which is keen to abandon ESPN’s problematic platform. If an agreement is reached, it might signal a significant change in the distribution of UFC content and open up one of the most well-liked combat sports in the world to a wider streaming audience.
One thing is certain as UFC considers its options: the company’s reliance on ESPN+ may be coming to an end.
The post Dana White May Replace ESPN+ With Netflix for UFC Soon appeared first on BlackSportsOnline.
