Ali Akbar Rosady
The commitment from White to deliver a substantial launch for the new broadcast partnership signals a strategic shift for the Ultimate Fighting Championship as it transitions from its long-standing agreement with ESPN. Speaking to reporters following a recent episode of Dana White’s Contender Series, White confirmed that the matchmaking process for the Paramount debut card commenced "literally today," emphasizing the immediate focus on building a compelling lineup. "Matchmaking was today, and we started working on the first Paramount card today," White reiterated, underlining the urgency in solidifying the event’s roster.
The new deal with Paramount is set to commence in January, marking a pivotal moment for the UFC’s distribution and reach. While specific financial terms of the Paramount agreement have not been publicly disclosed, such partnerships are typically multi-year, multi-platform arrangements designed to maximize exposure across linear television, streaming services, and digital platforms. This move follows a highly successful and transformative period with ESPN, which significantly elevated the UFC’s profile and expanded its audience over the past several years. The ESPN deal, which began in 2019, provided the UFC with a stable broadcast home across ESPN, ESPN+, and ABC, contributing substantially to the sport’s mainstream integration and financial growth. The shift to Paramount suggests a continued strategy to align with major media conglomerates capable of offering broad reach and robust promotional support across their diverse entertainment ecosystems.
In the realm of potential headliners, many of the UFC’s most prominent figures, including heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former two-division champion Conor McGregor, have publicly expressed interest in a different marquee event: a proposed UFC card at the White House in June. While theoretically, a fighter could participate in both the Paramount debut and a subsequent White House event, the unique scheduling demands and historical fight frequencies of stars like Jones and McGregor often preclude such quick turnarounds. Jones, for instance, has maintained a highly selective fight schedule in recent years, with his last outing being his dominant victory over Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title in March 2023. His next bout, widely anticipated to be against Stipe Miocic, has been subject to multiple postponements and is expected to be a standalone spectacle.
Conor McGregor’s situation presents even greater complexities. The Irish superstar has not competed since July 2021, when he suffered a leg injury against Dustin Poirier. Furthermore, McGregor is currently serving a suspension for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy, which is not set to conclude until March. This timeline definitively rules him out of contention for the January Paramount debut, underscoring the challenges of securing the sport’s biggest names for specific early-year dates. McGregor’s prolonged absence and the regulatory hurdles associated with his return highlight the difficulties in planning around fighters with unique circumstances and significant time away from active competition.
Related News :
- NFL Week 9 Delivers Unprecedented Drama as Fan-Voted ‘Himmy’ Award Crowns Top Individual Performances
- UFC 320 Aftermath: Pereira’s Dominant Return, Dvalishvili’s Bantamweight Claim, and Prochazka’s Resurgence Pave Way for Strategic Matchups
- NBA’s 80th Season Opens Amidst Gambling Scandal and Emergent Stars; Lakers and Rockets Grapple with Early Setbacks
- Pereira Reclaims Light Heavyweight Championship, Dvalishvili Defends Bantamweight Gold at UFC 320
- Heavyweight Championship Takes Center Stage as Aspinall Battles Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi
Against this backdrop, Ilia Topuria (17-0), an undefeated and active champion, emerges as a compelling and available option for the Paramount main event. Topuria has experienced a meteoric rise through the UFC ranks, showcasing a blend of devastating power and technical prowess. His championship journey began in February 2024, when he emphatically knocked out the long-reigning featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski, ending Volkanovski’s remarkable tenure atop the 145-pound division. This victory cemented Topuria’s status as a legitimate force in the sport. He then defended his newly acquired featherweight belt in October of the same year, delivering another stunning knockout, this time against Max Holloway, a former champion and one of the division’s most enduring figures.
Seeking to further solidify his legacy and conquer new territory, Topuria subsequently made the strategic decision to vacate his featherweight title and ascend to the lightweight division. This move, a bold step for any fighter, showcased his ambition to become a two-division champion, a feat achieved by only a select few in UFC history. His transition to 155 pounds was equally successful, as he secured his third consecutive knockout in a title fight by defeating Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight championship. Oliveira, a submission specialist with a penchant for thrilling finishes, represented a significant test, but Topuria’s performance underscored his adaptability and elite striking power across weight classes. His undefeated record, coupled with a string of decisive championship victories, positions him as one of the most exciting and marketable fighters in the promotion.
When pressed on the prospect of Topuria headlining the Paramount debut, White acknowledged the possibility without offering a definitive confirmation. "It’s a possibility," White stated, indicating that Topuria is indeed a strong candidate under consideration by the matchmaking team. This cautious optimism from White aligns with the strategic importance of launching a new broadcast partnership with a compelling, high-stakes main event featuring a dominant, undefeated champion.
The lightweight division, where Topuria now reigns, is widely regarded as one of the UFC’s most competitive and talent-rich categories. Should Topuria headline the Paramount card, potential opponents could include a host of elite contenders. Fighters like Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Beneil Dariush consistently rank among the division’s top five, each bringing significant experience and fan appeal. The division also features rising stars such as Arman Tsarukyan, whose recent performances have propelled him into title contention. While no specific opponent has been named, the depth of talent at 155 pounds ensures that any title defense by Topuria would be a significant draw.
Beyond the immediate focus on the Paramount launch, White also reflected on the winding down of the UFC’s current deal with ESPN. The partnership, which has been instrumental in the UFC’s expansion and mainstream acceptance, is nearing its conclusion. White expressed appreciation for the collaboration, acknowledging the strong professional and personal relationships forged between the UFC and ESPN teams. "We’re always going to try to put on the best cards that we can," White affirmed. "We’ve had a great relationship with ESPN, and we were talking earlier, everybody is already starting to feel it. There’s a lot of relationships between the ESPN team that comes to all the fights and works and the UFC team, and everybody is starting to feel it coming to the end here. They’ve been great to us, and they’ve been great to the sport. We want to put on a badass last card for them."
This sentiment highlights the mutual respect and success that characterized the ESPN-UFC alliance. The deal provided consistent exposure, including pay-per-view events, Fight Night cards, and ancillary content, significantly boosting the UFC’s subscriber base on ESPN+ and solidifying its position as a major player in the global sports entertainment landscape. As the UFC prepares to transition to Paramount, the focus remains on maintaining the high standard of fight cards and delivering maximum value for its new broadcast partner, while also ensuring a strong, memorable finish to its tenure with ESPN. The January Paramount debut, potentially featuring Ilia Topuria, represents the first significant step in this new chapter for the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMANovember 11, 2025Dodgers go up 2-0 in NLCS on Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s gem; NBA’s Top 100; Pete Prisco’s NFL Power Rankings
MMANovember 11, 2025UFC President Dana White Dispels Tech Mogul Mark Zuckerberg’s ‘Nerd’ Image, Vouching for His Formidable Combat Prowess
MMANovember 11, 2025Dana White beginning to put together debut event on Paramount, says Ilia Topuria is a ‘possibility’
MMANovember 11, 2025Veteran Commentator Joe Rogan Confirmed for UFC 322 Return as Championship Double-Header Anchors New York Card
arthur roy sitompul
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin
alina maya