Overview
- Numbered UFC events are slated to stream on Paramount+ beginning in 2026, replacing traditional pay-per-view purchases.
- UFC COO Lawrence Epstein says contracts will be restructured for premium athletes and that fighter pay will increase.
- Daniel Cormier says some fighters have already renegotiated into guaranteed compensation and are making more than under PPV points.
- Cormier cites falling PPV buys around 500,000 to 600,000 and piracy as reasons the old model no longer delivers past-level payouts.
- Cormier says his ESPN show with Chael Sonnen has ended, while he expects commentary and broadcast teams to remain the same and events to start an hour earlier next year.