Netflix Eyeing UFC in 2025 Amid Live Sports Expansion

Netflix might be reconsidering its long-standing stance against live sports, especially after the blockbuster success of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. The streaming giant boasted an eye-popping 108 million viewers for the event, signaling its potential to become a major player in live sports. With NFL games on the horizon this Christmas and a massive $5 billion deal with WWE kicking off in 2025, Netflix could be setting its sights on another titan of combat sports: the UFC.

UFC CEO Dana White isn’t ruling it out. Speaking to Sports Business Journal, White shared his thoughts on Netflix’s late entry into the live sports arena. “I always thought that Netflix was crazy not to get into live sports sooner than they did,” White said. “Those guys truly have a global footprint. I think they’re late to the game. It was a big success.”

The Paul vs. Tyson event wasn’t without hiccups, though. With 65 million concurrent streams, many viewers reported freezing screens, poor picture quality, and even struggles to load the event. White, however, had a different experience. “I was in a hotel room in New York, and I didn’t have a bad experience. It was a little grainy here and there, but I didn’t have a horrible experience,” he revealed.

For White, the fight was a smart test run for Netflix as they gear up for the NFL and WWE deals. “Mike Tyson was going to pull a big number, and this was a good test for them before they start airing the NFL,” he said.

As UFC’s broadcast rights come up for grabs in 2025, Netflix could become a major contender in the bidding war. While White praised UFC’s current relationship with ESPN and Disney, he’s leaving the door open for big changes. “We’re the biggest pay-per-view provider on the planet,” he said. “I think as we go into our negotiations in 2025, this thing could play out in a lot of different ways.”

Netflix’s growing commitment to live sports might just shake up the game, but whether UFC will join WWE and the NFL on its platform remains to be seen.