For years, the UFC Apex has been a polarizing venue. At the same time, the UFC’s usage of the Apex in a post-quarantine world has faced relentless criticism as a downgrade from packed arenas. Fighters note its lack of crowd energy,

Paramount is purchasing the rights to UFC in a landmark $7.7 billion deal over seven years beginning in 2026, the companies announced in a statement Monday, in a move that will eliminate the pay-per-view model. All of the UFC’s events will now be accessible with only a Paramount+ subscription, and select numbered events will also air on CBS.

In a major early move under new ownership, Paramount has agreed to pay $7.7 billion for media rights to UFC’s mixed martial arts events in the U.S. Paramount said Monday that it has signed a seven-year deal with TKO Group Holdings that will put 13 marquee UFC events and 30 fight nights on streaming platform Paramount+ beginning next year.