As one door opens for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), another one inevitably has to close. But, it won’t be for another seven months. Indeed, that’s when UFC’s seven-year television deal with FOX Sports will expire and its new one with ESPN will begin. The promotion inked a mega deal with “The Worldwide Leader In Sports,” which is worth an estimated $1.5 billion over five years.
On the heels of the announcement, FOX Sports issued a statement (via MMA Junkie) reflecting on its successful partnership with the biggest fight MMA promotion in the world.
“FOX Sports has enjoyed an amazing partnership with the UFC over the last seven years. As FOX Sports was planning the launch of FS1, Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta were the first partners to believe in the idea and vision of the new network. We look forward to finishing out 2018 with more exciting live events and wish the UFC continued success in the years to come.”
UFC kicked off its deal with FOX — which was worth $700 million — way back on Nov. 2011, with UFC on FOX 1, which featured a a Heavyweight fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos.
Since then, there have been numerous “Fight Night” events taking place on big FOX, FX and FOX Sports 1, as well a FOX Sports 2. The next offering will be UFC Fight Night 130, which is set to go down this Sunday (May 27, 2018) in Liverpool, England, featuring a 170-pound showdown between Darren Till and Stephen Thompson.
To learn more about the Fox Sports 1-televised event click here.