“There were a lot of p—-d off people.” That’s how Dana White summed up UFC 313. And for once, the anger wasn’t about bad judging or a controversial stoppage. It was about the simple act of watching the fights. Deja vu, anyone? If UFC 313 felt eerily similar to the chaos of UFC 304, you weren’t alone. Another massive card? Yes. Another technical disaster, and another wave of fans who just wanted to watch some fights? Check. But instead of enjoying Magomed Ankalaev’s coronation, many were left staring at ESPN like it was their bank account on payday, refreshing in vain.

The UFC-ESPN partnership is looking shakier than a fighter on wobbly legs. Reports from the New York Post suggest that the UFC is furious with ESPN over constant streaming failures, while ESPN is unhappy with the PPV sales. And it’s not just the UFC feeling the heat. Fighters who rely on PPV points in their contracts are now realizing those bonuses are about as valuable as an expired gift card. Smart business model, Mr. Dana White.

MMA journalist Luke Thomas confirmed the nightmare scenario. PPV points aren’t paying out because the buys just aren’t there. The UFC might be making bank with ticket sales, sponsorships, and merchandise, but if no one’s buying the fights, the entire pay-per-view model is crumbling. And the UFC knows it. That’s why, according to industry insiders, they’re doing everything in their power to land a streaming deal with Netflix. But will Netflix bite?

The rumor mill is in overdrive, and if industry insiders are to be believed, Netflix is the UFC’s next big play. New York Post Sports reporter Eric Richter revealed that a well-connected source told him, “Almost definitely Netflix.” If that wasn’t enough to shake things up, Ariel Helwani added that this upcoming media rights deal is set to be “the biggest deal in UFC history.” Netflix has been scooping up sports rights left and right. But combat sports would be new territory. Could this mean an end to the dreaded PPVs? Fans surely hope so.

UFC fans are pitching a “bright idea” to Dana White

UFC fans are done playing nice. They’re tired of overpriced pay-per-views and aren’t holding back. One fan put it simply, “Here’s a bright idea: no more PPVs.” Seriously, why is this even a discussion? Fans can get an entire month of subscriptions combined for the same price as one UFC event. Hence, the PPV math ain’t just mathing.

Another frustrated viewer chimed in, saying, “Nobody’s paying 90 bucks for that (Dricus) Du Plessis vs. (Sean) Strickland PPV. Better your product. Rid of the PPV model and introduce a subscription-based model that includes EVERYTHING in your library and live shows for 30 bucks or so a month.” It’s a fair point. If the UFC wants fans to pay premium prices, they need to deliver premium fights.

Even hardcore fans are starting to push back. “I’m a big MMA guy, but let’s be honest, raising PPV prices was a terrible idea. Sure, if Jones or one of the other big draws is headlining, you can probably get away with a higher price. But no one is paying $80 for a five-round snooze fest that some of these fights have been.” When Jon Jones fights, sure, people will pay. But, sure, for every must-watch card, there are three others that feel like a gamble.

Another fan laid out a simple alternative, “They should just do a Netflix deal without PPV. Most cards aren’t worth the asking price. They should either lower the PPV cost to something like $49 or just abandon it altogether. No one is paying $79 for trash cards they offer.” However, some are pointing out that it’s not just the price. It’s the product. “The market has spoken. Change the rules. Nobody wants to watch fighters have a hugging match for 15-25 minutes where the hugger who happens to be on top ‘wins.’” If the fights themselves aren’t entertaining, why would people pay a premium for them?

One of the most common complaints is the double-dipping payment model. “Ain’t no one want to buy a service AND a PPV ON TOP OF A SUBSCRIPTION.” That’s not sustainable. It might work for Conor McGregor-level events. But does it for the average card? And finally, the biggest argument of them all. The UFC could be massive if they just made the fights easier to access. “They need to sign with Netflix and eliminate the PPV model. They could actually compete with the NBA and NFL if all you needed to watch was a Netflix subscription.” This is the future fans want. If the UFC truly wants to go mainstream, a subscription-based model is the way to do it.

At this point, the writing is on the wall. ESPN is struggling. PPV numbers are crashing. And fans are demanding change. The UFC has two choices. Either adapt or watch their audience shrink. What do you think? Will they embrace the Netflix revolution, or will Dana White double down on the PPV model? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!