The economic landscape of UFC media and heavyweight unification
UFC media negotiations target over $1 billion annually as Paramount+ secures a $7.7 billion deal starting in 2026. Meanwhile, fighter purses for UFC 311 show Merab Dvalishvili leading disclosed payouts with $500,000 amid discussions regarding Tom Aspinall's heavyweight unification.
Broadcast rights and the Paramount+ deal
The UFC targets over $1 billion annually for its next broadcast rights deal. Paramount agreed to a seven-year package worth $7.7 billion starting in 2026, which provides $1.1 billion per year. The current five-year, $1.5 billion deal with ESPN expires at the end of 2025, following an original agreement from 2018 that was worth more than $1.5 billion for the promotion’s massive global growth. TKO Group Holdings, led by CEO Ari Emanuel, manages these negotiations. ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro remains interested in a continued partnership. Netflix and TNT Sports also interest themselves in the rights. A Wall Street analyst predicted the next TV deal could reach $3 billion, which is more than double the most recent contract signed with ESPN. The UFC fan base helped drive ESPN+ to more than 26 million subscribers, and Disney owns ESPN, meaning they plan to explore partners to take on a share of the network. You should realize that the UFC holds significant leverage because it provides consistent content without an offseason. TKO could split a TV package among several networks like the NFL and NBA do.
Fighter compensation at UFC 311
The California State Athletic Commission released fighter purses for UFC 311 that reveal significant gaps in compensation. Renato Moicano stepped up to fight Makhachev on super short notice and earned $250,000. This amount is $50,000 more than the $200,000 purse Makhachev received. Grant Dawson earned $212,000, which exceeds the disclosed amount for the lightweight champion. The commission disclosures provide an inaccurate picture of total earnings. They omit significant portions of fighter compensation, such as private contract payments, sponsorship deals, and pay-per-view bonuses. Makhachev likely earns a seven-figure amount from pay-per-view sales that the commission does not list. Merab Dvalishvili led the disclosed payouts with $500,000, while Umar Nurmagomedov earned $100,000. Jiri Prochazka earned $250,000, while Jamahal Hill earned $200,000. Jailton Almeida earned $220,000, and Serghei Spivac earned $100,000. Kevin Holland earned $250,000, and Reinier de Ridder earned $210,000. Bogdan Guskov earned $86,000, and Billy Elekana earned $12,000. Raoni Barcelos earned $96,000, and Payton Talbott earned $43,000. Azamat Bekoev earned $24,000, and Zachary Reese earned $30,000. Dawson holds a professional record of 23-2-1.
| Pay component | 2026 figure | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of the Night | $100,000 | UFC selection |
| Knockout/submission bonus | $25,000 | Non-main award winners |
| Title challenger compliance | $32,000 | Fight-week duties |
| Champion compliance | $42,000 | Fight-week duties |
The UFC doubled its standard post-fight awards in January 2026.
The heavyweight division and Tom Aspinall
Tom Aspinall needs a fight to generate income. He currently holds the interim heavyweight title after defeating Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. Aspinall secured 14 first-round victories before his recent injury. He suffered an eye injury in a No Contest against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October 2025. This injury delayed his return to the octagon. Dana White says a title unification bout between Jones and Aspinall will happen in 2025. Jon Jones holds the heavyweight title after stopping Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Jones dismissed Aspinall’s achievements and preferred a fight against Alex Pereira. An online petition recently asked the UFC to strip Jones of his title. Aspinall proposed a four-man tournament involving Jones, Stipe Miocic, himself, and Alex Pereira to settle the division. How will the new Paramount+ deal affect the visibility of undercard fighters? Aspinall’s boxing coach, Stipe Drvis, said he wanted out of the promotion, but Aspinall clarified his position to the media recently. Aspinall remains the best heavyweight MMA fighter on the planet.
