Georges St-Pierre and Jake Paul raise concerns about the impact of UFC’s new broadcasting agreement on fighters’ welfare
Georges St-Pierre and Jake Paul Raise Concerns About UFC’s New Broadcast Deal and Its Impact on Fighters
The UFC recently signed a massive broadcasting agreement with Paramount, signaling the end of an era for pay-per-view fights in the United States and sparking a storm of debate about what it means for fighters’ earnings and leverage. This new seven-year deal, reportedly worth over £700 million a year, or a total of £5.7 billion, is a significant jump from their previous £370 million agreement with ESPN. However, not everyone in the fight game is throwing celebratory punches just yet.
MMA Legends and YouTube Stars Speak Out
Georges St-Pierre, one of mixed martial arts’ biggest icons, didn’t hold back on his concerns. During an interview, St-Pierre reflected on how the traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model gave top fighters direct leverage when negotiating contracts. “When I was competing I had a great argument to negotiate my contract,” he explained. “If you want me to do the promotion, I want a piece of the PPV pie.” With the new model, St-Pierre fears fighters will lose bargaining chips that previously helped justify bigger paydays. “It might be a bad thing for the fighters in a way that they have less leverage [to negotiate more money],” he added.
Jake Paul, who has long criticized the UFC for its notoriously secretive payouts and limited fighter bargaining power, took the news as a call to action. On social media, Paul said, “No more PPV excuses. Get your worth boys and girls.” For years, he’s been at odds with UFC president Dana White over how little even top competitors take home compared to the immense revenue they generate.
The Numbers Behind the Deal
The UFC’s new arrangement means most events will shift from expensive PPV nights to streaming on Paramount’s platform or airing on CBS. While this promises wider exposure, the end of traditional PPV could cut fighters out of the lucrative PPV points system. Historically, only the biggest stars—like Ronda Rousey, St-Pierre, or Jon Jones—were granted a share in PPV profits above their fight purse. The vast majority of fighters, meanwhile, earn a flat fee per event plus potential win bonuses, with an additional (and relatively minor) share from UFC’s sponsorship agreement with Venum.
According to recent analysis, this broadcasting switch could limit fighters’ ability to negotiate unique deals and may concentrate even greater power in the UFC’s hands. For more background on the NFL’s shifting broadcast dynamics, read this review.
What Do Fighters and Officials Say?
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall admitted he doesn’t know how the new streaming-focused model will affect his compensation. Set to headline a major event this October, he voiced uncertainty: “I’m not sure how the new model is going to affect fighters,” he said on a recent appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show.
For now, fighter bonuses remain capped at £37,000, and UFC president Dana White has only commented that promotion for athletes will increase. “I’m not going to have any detailed comments on [fighter pay] yet, because we still need to figure this stuff out,” White said, suggesting more announcements will be made before the deal officially begins in 2026.
However, the company says not all PPVs are dead; a few standalone events may still hit the old format each year. Dive into the UFC’s past with this story about its early, wilder days.
A Crossroads for Fighters’ Rights and Revenue
While the UFC’s new broadcast partnership with Paramount promises bigger revenue and broader reach, concerns are mounting about the welfare and negotiation power of fighters. As legends and vocal challengers like St-Pierre and Jake Paul continue to speak out, all eyes are on how the organization will address pay structures and fighter leverage heading into the streaming era. The next two years may prove critical in determining whether fighters will benefit from the UFC’s soaring fortunes or if their share of the spotlight—and the profits—will diminish.
Source: www.bbc.com