The mixed martial arts (MMA) world was rocked today by a seismic shift: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is parting ways with ESPN in 2026, inking a colossal $7.7 billion, seven-year deal with the Paramount/CBS family.
This blockbuster agreement hands Paramount and CBS the keys to every UFC event—13 numbered events (formerly pay-per-views) and 30 “Fight Night” cards. Fans can catch all the action streaming on Paramount+, with select events also hitting linear TV on CBS.
And now, we know what type of events will air on CBS: big ones.
“Yeah, it’s looking like we’re going to do four big events a year,” UFC CEO Dana White told CBS Sports HQ. “We’re talking about doing a fight at the White House next year on the 4th of July, the 250th anniversary of America. Imagine a massive fight on the lawn of the White House on CBS.”
With the UFC White House event locked in as one of the four marquee CBS showcases, what else is on tap for 2026?
Next up, International Fight Week (IFW) is UFC’s crown jewel, delivering the year’s most stacked card. That’s a no-brainer for CBS.
Then, the July 4 UFC White House spectacle—patriotic chaos in the nation’s capital.
Sure, massive fights can pop off any time (like a possible Conor McGregor return), but if we’re betting on the four biggest events, it’s the Paramount kickoff, IFW 2026, UFC White House, and MSG. These are the cards to circle on your calendar.
To checkout UFC’s upcoming schedule of events click here.
