The UFC is set to undergo some major changes in 2026 as a result of the promotion’s new broadcast deal.
While Dana White has stated that this will lead to an increase in fighter pay, there’s no question that this move benefits the fans.
UFC viewers in the United States will no longer have to pay premium prices for pay-per-view events now that every one of the promotion’s cards will be available on Paramount+.
Henry Cejudo recently said that he believes this will only continue to grow the sport, but there are still some questions that haven’t been answered.
White hasn’t confirmed exactly how fighters that substantially benefit from PPV sales will be impacted, with a highly significant figure in the history of the promotion believing that this will work out extremely well for the UFC.
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Campbell McLaren believes that the UFC’s new broadcast deal gives them more control over the fighters
Campbell McLaren is an integral figure in the birth and early growth of the UFC, having co-created the promotion along with the likes of Rorion Gracie, Art Davie and Bob Meyrowitz.
Having played a pivotal role in various aspects, from establishing the concept of the UFC to putting Joe Rogan on post-fight interview duties, McLaren’s input was significant.
As the current CEO of Combate Global, he recently commented on the MMA leader’s new broadcast deal and the impact it will have on some of the roster’s biggest names.
McLaren made some bold claims about the power dynamic between fighters and the promotion when talking about how the removal of PPVs might change this balance.
He specifically mentioned Jon Jones by name, who in the past, hasn’t faced the likes of Francis Ngannou and Tom Aspinall after demanding more money from the UFC.
“Many of you may disagree but the UFC moving away from PPV’s frees them from being held hostage from fighters like Jon Jones. Hostage. I know it seems like promotions have leverage but often the fighter has all the power. Your POV depends on what side of the fence you are on.”
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Dana White recently backed Conor McGregor over Jon Jones to headline the White House card
One of the biggest UFC events of all time is set to take place next year and it seems highly likely that it will feature one of the huge names that Campbell McLaren was referring to in his post.
The likes of Conor McGregor and Jon Jones would make a lot of sense for the promotion’s historic event at the White House in 2026, though we don’t know whether the new broadcast deal will make this more or less likely.
Dana White recently claimed during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show that it’s no question whatsoever whether he would trust one of them more than the other to headline an event of this magnitude.
“I trust Conor. Conor McGregor has never, ever — unless he is seriously injured — this guy has always delivered. Jon, I’m a little more skeptical about.”
As White has repeatedly stated when being asked about who could feature on this event, it’s still too far away for any serious talks at this moment in time.