Dec 2, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; ESPN signage during UFC Fight Night at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

ESPN+ unexpectedly axes UFC fight library as new TV rights deal looms

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Zain Bando | Last updated May 31, 2025 8:31 PM ET

The UFC’s ESPN deal, which dates back to January 2019, expires at the end of the year

In recent months, the service has been plagued by a comedy of errors, including a lack of pay-per-view access for paying customers during UFC 313.

According to The New York Post, ESPN wiped the majority of its UFC event-based content without warning. It was initially discovered within the MMA community on ‘X’ and Reddit before being dissected on an even greater level.

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Dana White On UFC's ESPN Relationship

UFC CEO Dana White has been complimentary of ESPN+ in the past, but has given zero indication whether a long-term partnership is close to fruition.

“I like ESPN,” White said in April. “I've said it many times: We had a bit of a rocky start, which is normal in any relationship, but we're in a great place with ESPN. Whether we re-sign with them or do not, I have nothing but great things to say about my time at ESPN."

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White said he was open to all possibilities moving forward, but wherever the promotion decides to go is anyone’s best guess.

“I don't know," White said. "It depends on what ESPN or wherever else we go is looking for. Most of the times when you do these deals, you're catering to what the network needs. Plus, they'll have other programming, other sports that they're already committed to at certain times and seasons and whatever it may be. It always changes. It doesn't matter to me."

UFC CEO Wants What's Best For The Brand

White wants what's best for everyone, even if it means adjusting the calendar.

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"We do what works for the network – what do they want to do?" White said. "Do they want to just put it on their air? Do they want to do pay-per-view? Do they want to put it behind a paywall? I don't know any of those things. Tuesday, the window opens and we start talking to other networks and we'll get more into that."

For now, the UFC remains on ESPN+. Loved or hated, live streaming sports is the present and future of entertainment consumption.

Only time will tell.