There’s a whiff of uncertainty in the air regarding the alliance between UFC and ESPN, as a multitude of fans have noticed that all historical UFC fights have mysteriously disappeared from the ESPN+ platform. The sudden change has sparked a flurry of chatter predicting a potential breakdown in the UFC’s media rights agreement and its ongoing rapport with the Disney-backed streaming service. This unanticipated development has coincided with the conclusion of the exclusive negotiation period that existed between UFC and ESPN, which reportedly came to an end in April 2025. The termination of this window paves the way for other contenders in the cut-throat sports streaming industry to make their moves.
The collaboration between ESPN+ and UFC hasn’t been smooth sailing, marred with continual outcries from fans over streaming hiccups and ascending PPV expenses. Observant patrons have noticed and raised alarm over the sudden vanishing of UFC’s exhaustive past showdowns from ESPN+. This unforeseen alteration has resulted in the inability of users to revisit the rich history of UFC battles on ESPN+, encompassing past PPV spectacles and comprehensive fight nights. Fans seeking trips down memory lane are left with UFC Fight Pass as their only reliable avenue for conducting nostalgic recaps.
In a turn of events that adds to the unrest, recent PPVs seem elusive too, with users facing difficulty locating them. The change undeniably inconveniences long-time subscribers and puts a question mark on whether ESPN will sustain, or indeed harbors the intention to maintain, a comprehensive UFC content offering in accordance with its prevailing licensing benchmarks. Following the signing of a colossal $1.5 billion, five-year rights pact in 2019, ESPN+ emerged as the chosen hub for both UFC live events and archived clashes.
With the responsibility of this hefty deal approaching its finale, the likelihood of its reenactment is shrouded in mystery. Negotiations surrounding the contract could have significant ramifications on the future of UFC’s streaming provisions. Several sources validate the information that UFC’s closed-door discussion period with ESPN got over in mid-April 2025.
Though ESPN has vocally favored the sustained alliance with UFC in the past, the strain of recent occurrences might have been detrimental to their relational fabric. UFC, reportedly on the pursuit of a larger and heftier media rights slot that could possibly measure up to a staggering $1 billion per year, could be scanning potential alternatives among high-profile platforms like Amazon, Netflix, or YouTube.
Guiding the ship through these potential course alterations, UFC President Dana White has hinted at the possibility of venturing into innovative streaming deals, though he hasn’t made any official announcements regarding potential deliberations. Until an accord is forged between the relevant parties, fans are likely to continue facing restricted access to past UFC content, adding to their frustration.