Tyson Fury is the latest big-name fighter to react to the news of the UFC’s new network plan, scrapping their long-standing pay-per-view model.
Set to ditch their deal with ESPN and ESPN+ at the beginning of 2026, The UFC this afternoon announced a move to Paramount and CBS — to the tune of $7.7 billion over the course of a seven-year deal.
And with today’s announcement from UFC CEO, Dana White, the pay-per-view model will officially end for the Octagon leader at the beginning of next year, with fans able to avail of 13 flagship events and a further 30 more ‘Fight Night’ billed cards through a Paramount subscription.
With today’s announcement, a host of figures in the sport have reacted to the news, including former world champion heavyweight Tyson Fury.
Tyson Fury believes PPV model is officially over
One of the biggest names to react to White’s announcement so far is former undisputed WBC heavyweight champion Fury.
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And expected to follow suit as soon as November, Saudi royal adviser Turki Alalshikh — who is partnering with White as part of TKO Boxing, confirmed the pay-per-view model in boxing will come to an end under his stewardship, too.
“RIP PPV,” Tyson Fury posted on his official Instagram Stories, in reference to White’s announcement of the new UFC deal with Paramount and CBS.
“Seems PPV is dead, even in UFC,” Fury continued.
And with a potential showdown with Anthony Joshua still mooted, amid links to a clash with Jake Paul, it will prove interesting to see how Fury deals with a potential end to pay-per-view across the board in boxing, too.
Tyson Fury showdown with Anthony Joshua cast into doubt again
Initially expected to make a return to the ring earlier this year in a battle opposite fellow former champion Joshua, Fury announced his retirement from competition again suddenly.
However, prior to Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Daniel Dubois, Fury confirmed his intentions to make his return to action against the Ukrainian star, in a trilogy match.
But links to a showcase with Joshua persist; however, Matchroom Boxing CEO, Frank Smith is not so sure that pairing is even of much interest to UK fans anymore.
“Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul on the global scale is bigger than Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury. That is the world we live in right now,” Smith told talkSPORT.
“The Tyson Fury fight is still a huge fight, and if he decides to come back from retirement, I’m sure that can also get made in 2026.”