Mixed Martial Arts
PFL appoints former IMG, WWE executive Frewin as SVP, international
The Professional Fighters League has announced the appointment of James Frewin to the newly-created role of senior vice-president, international
Univision invests in Combate Global in ‘first step’ of combat sports strategy
Univision Communications has acquired a “significant” equity stake in the Combate Global mixed martial arts promotion in a deal that the US Spanish-language broadcaster says is reflective of a first ste…
UFC value soars in France after legalisation of MMA broadcasts
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has massively increased the value of its media rights in France thanks to a renewal with pay-television broadcaster RMC Sport.
Abu Dhabi Media launches specialist combat channel
Pay-television broadcaster Abu Dhabi Media has launched a specialist combat sports channel, Abu Dhabi Fight, which is exclusively available via telco Etisalat
Okko Sport launches MMA package after Bellator deal
Russian OTT streaming platform Okko Sport has launched a dedicated mixed martial arts subscription package on the back of its rights deal with US-based promotion Bellator
Bellator lands US rights deal with CBS Sports
The Bellator mixed martial arts promotion has signed a media rights deal in the United States with CBS Sports, with live events to be aired on cable channel CBS Sports Network.
Nent adds UFC rights to Icelandic offering
Nordic Entertainment (Nent) Group has acquired rights to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the Endeavor-owned mixed martial arts promotion, in Iceland
ONE Championship agrees deal with streaming platform FITE for landmark show
Fight sports streaming platform FITE will offer pay-per-view coverage in several markets around the world of ONE Championship's ONE: CENTURY event in Tokyo on Sunday, October 13
Virgin Media picks up Bellator rights in Ireland
Telco Virgin Media has announced that it has acquired rights in Ireland to the Bellator mixed martial arts promotion events in Europe.
The deal's duration was not announced
MMA’s One Championship launches TV, film production division
Asian mixed martial arts promotion One Championship has launched a television and film production division
UFC limits the damage with new Fox deal in tough Filipino market
The value of Ultimate Fighting Championship rights has fallen in the Philippines, but local sources say the result is still a good one for the promotion and its owner, IMG, given current market dynamics
UFC extend with TSN and RDS in Canada
Pay-television broadcasters TSN and RDS have agreed a new multi-year extension of its media-rights deal with the UFC
SuperSport picks up UFC rights in Africa after ESPN US deal clears path
African pay-television broadcaster SuperSport completed a complex negotiation with the Ultimate Fighting Championship last week, signing off on a new five-year contract.
The deal is worth $1.2m (€1.1
UFC projects record 3m pay-per-view buys for McGregor’s return
Conor McGregor's return to UFC this weekend is projected to spur a major revival of the company's fortunes.
IMG earns huge UFC fee increase from German market
DAZN has acquired exclusive Ultimate Fighting Championship rights in Germany and Austria, more than doubling the previous value of the rights.
OTT service DAZN will pay just under $2m (€1.7
IMG-backed Eleven takes UFC rights in UK and Ireland
Eleven Sports has acquired exclusive rights to the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the UK and Ireland for the next three years, paying a lower minimum guarantee than its predecessor BT
DAZN follows Matchroom deal with Bellator partnership
DAZN, the live and on-demand streaming service owned by digital sports media specialist Perform, has bolstered its combat sports content by agreeing a multi-year rights deal with US mixed martial arts promotion Bellator.
ESPN takes UFC exclusively as Fox opts for WWE rights instead
Doubling up with ESPN will earn the Ultimate Fighting Championship $300m (€258m) per year from media-rights sales from 2019 to 2023 – a good result given the absence of aggressive bidding from incumbent Fox.