The dust has barely settled from the industry-shaking news, and there\u2019s still a number of questions that MMA fans have about the new partnership between the UFC and Paramount. <\/p>\n
As noted by Luke Thomas<\/a>, initial comments from TKO Group Holdings President and COO Mark Shapiro to CNBC indicated that all numbered (formerly pay-per-view) UFC events would be available on CBS. <\/p>\n READ MORE: The night Michael Page ended a veteran\u2019s career and caved his skull in<\/a><\/p>\n White painted a slightly different picture during an interview of his own with CBS Sports, where the UFC boss claimed that CBS will get four major events each year. <\/p>\n So I guess there are mixed signals? Mark Shapiro told CNBC that nearly all of the numbered events would air on CBS, but here Dana says 4 a year will (I\u2019m guessing once a quarter?) https:\/\/t.co\/5AmvnbmShN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Luke Thomas\ud83c\udfcb\ufe0f\u200d\u2640\ufe0f (@lthomasnews) August 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n While MMA fans have celebrated the fact that the UFC has finally decided to abandon its pay-per-view model<\/a>, there\u2019s still a question of how this lucrative new deal will affect how the promotion\u2019s fighters are paid. <\/p>\n Conor McGregor set records with the PPV numbers for several of his UFC fights. \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n Fighter pay is a constant point of conversation in MMA, and surprisingly it\u2019s something that divides both fighters and fans alike<\/a>. It\u2019s unclear how much (if any) of the money from the Paramount deal will trickle down to fighters, and now UFC champions will also miss out on the added incentive of earning points on their pay-per-view numbers. <\/p>\n The UFC will occasionally alter the start times for events in select international locations, but for the most part cards largely cater to the promotion’s home city of Las Vegas and fans on Pacific Standard Time. <\/p>\n Topuria vs. Arman on CBS would be a good way to kick this off. And you’d imagine this means earlier start times for these simulcasted numbered shows. Maybe a return to the 4-fight FOX format?<\/p>\n \u2014 caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) August 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The promise of at least a few major events on CBS each year opens the door for these cards to potentially start at an earlier time, which means fans that aren\u2019t living in the Western United States might be treated to some UFC title fights that don\u2019t take place after midnight on the East Coast and well into the early morning for fans in Europe and other international locations. <\/p>\n The UFC heads to Chicago, IL<\/a> this weekend for UFC 319, but the promotion is coming off back-to-back Fight Night events at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Charles Oliveira makes big statement on his fighting future<\/a><\/p>\n Neither UFC Vegas 108 or UFC Vegas 109 were particularly star-studded affairs<\/a>, and fans have grown increasingly frustrated by the overall quality of many UFC Fight Night cards as of late. The UFC Apex and its lack of a full-sized crowd have also drawn the ire of many fans, although in the last year the promotion has made an effort to get back on the road for more of its UFC Fight Night events. <\/p>\n Anthony Hernandez defeated Roman Dolidze in the main event of UFC Vegas 109. \/ (Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n A torrid event schedule with few off weeks makes it difficult for the UFC to consistently fill out cards with major names, so it will be interesting to see the quality of the first few events once the Paramount deal starts and how that will develop during the lifespan of the new deal. <\/p>\n \u2022 Charles Oliveira chooses respect over rivalry with Rafael Fiziev<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 UFC Rio adds explosive welterweight clash between seasoned veterans<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Donald Cerrone humbled cocky prospect in one of UFC\u2019s greatest reality checks<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Jon Jones officially ends retirement as he returns to UFC testing pool<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with MMAKnockout<\/a> for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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