The MMA world stands at a crossroads, and all eyes are on Dana White. As the UFC’s current broadcast deal with ESPN nears its end in 2025, whispers of a monumental new agreement echo through the sports industry. In an interview with CNBC, the UFC boss stated, “Our rights deal is going to be a big deal coming up here, who knows? We could end up like the NBA and the NFL where we end up on multiple channels instead of just one.”

The NFL currently boasts a staggering $111B media rights deal, the largest in the US. What does this mean for the sport of mixed martial arts? For starters, this could redefine how fans consume MMA. But while the promotion strategizes its next move, Ariel Helwani has offered a critical take on the potential ripple effects this could have on the broader MMA landscape, particularly for the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Ariel Helwani claims Dana White and UFC’s 2025 media deal may leave PFL in a precarious position 

Speaking on a recent episode of ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’, the veteran MMA journalist was asked an intriguing question about what the future holds for PFL in light of their recent issues with PPVs, lack of big stars, and more. Helwani stated, “I don’t think they should ever be in the pay per view business. I was critical of PFL and their model when I was at ESPN, and they were on ESPN. And, Rick can tell you that’s a big no no. And I was saying I don’t like the season format. Just make the best fights. Make the best fights, have the best roster, build stars that way.”

Helwani also pointed out the financial strain the PFL faces. The league has dished out million-dollar purses but struggles to fill seats, except for its high-profile events in Riyadh or Paris. As such, Helwani continued, “They need to do a better job selling tickets. You need to build stars to sell tickets. They’re paying a lot of money, especially this weekend, right, on Friday. A $1,000,000 purses, that’s a lot”

Adding to the complexity is the PFL’s recent acquisition of Bellator. This move brought a slew of talented fighters into the fold, but not without challenges. Helwani highlighted a glaring issue, many Bellator fighters command hefty paychecks, making frequent appearances economically unfeasible for the PFL.

Also, with the UFC and Dana White working to find a new broadcast deal that could potentially rival other major sports leagues, Helwani further stated, “2025 is going to be a gigantic, dare I say, make or break year for PFL. ESPN deal is coming to an end. Let’s see where they go from there. And, obviously, whatever UFC and ESPN do is going to be a huge development as well, one of the biggest stories of the year, if not the biggest to watch come next year.”

The UFC’s potential move to multiple platforms could have a domino effect on competitors like PFL. If the UFC and Dana White embrace diverse broadcasting channels, it may widen the gap between the premier organization and its challengers. Yet, it also opens doors for PFL/Bellator to innovate. And according to the UFC boss, there is still a cloud of uncertainty hanging over where the UFC goes next once the ESPN deal is up for negotiation!

White confesses he still has no idea about “the players” for UFC media rights in 2025  

Dana White isn’t one to shy away from bold claims or bigger dreams. In his eyes, the UFC already sits alongside America’s “big four” sports. But with its current deal with ESPN nearing its end in 2025, the future of the UFC is about to get a major shake-up. Will it stay loyal to its broadcasting roots, or will it embrace the growing power of streaming?

In a recent interview with Sports Business Journal, White stated, “I don’t know who the players are going to end up being, but you know, is it going to be Amazon, is it going to be YouTube, is it going to be Disney?”. But further added that hasn’t ruled out staying with ESPN.

The UFC-ESPN relationship has been a fruitful one, delivering historic events and record-breaking gates. White admitted to having a solid rapport with the network, but in the ever-evolving media landscape, loyalty might not be enough. But while the UFC explores its next move, competitors like the PFL and Bellator are feeling the pressure, especially as they face financial hurdles and struggle to build the kind of star power that drives success.

The year 2025 will undoubtedly be a pivotal moment for the UFC and the broader MMA landscape. Will the UFC and Dana White’s potential media deal soar to unprecedented heights, leaving its competitors scrambling? Or will the rise of streaming create new opportunities for challengers like PFL? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!