Dana White Leaves Door Open for Future DAZN Partnership Despite UFC's Move to Paramount+

Dana White never burns bridges unnecessarily. And, with the UFC securing a historic $7.7 billion, seven-year deal with Paramount+, questions regarding a future with DAZN are inevitable. 

White has responded to them all in a calm, non-hostile manner, which occasionally puts him in the limelight. 

Dana White: “I’m Willing to Work With Anybody”

White is currently busy promoting his upcoming Zuffa Boxing event, which is headlined by the much-anticipated Conor Benn vs. Ryan Garcia this weekend. 

Ahead of the fight, during a media interaction, White discussed a potential future with DAZN. "I'm willing to work with anybody that wants to work with us. It's not like I have any sort of hatred for DAZN or anything like that. We're in two different camps right now," he said. 

Furthermore, the Zuffa Boxing founder stated bluntly that he has people either on his side or against him; there is no middle ground. It is a diplomatic, but commercially sensible response. 

The International Broadcast Picture Remains Open

Paramount beat ESPN, which had held the UFC broadcast rights since 2018, as well as Amazon and Netflix, to secure the seven-year deal. 

Since the beginning of 2026, all UFC events have aired exclusively on Paramount networks in the US. Reportedly, the deal includes 13 marquee events and 30 Fight Nights, with a select number of events to be telecast on CBS without a traditional PPV model. 

Furthermore, Zuffa Boxing, White’s boxing venture, runs alongside Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season. Now, where DAZN could theoretically re-enter the picture is outside the US. 

The platform has a strong international presence compared to Paramount’s standing in the combat sports genre. White himself signaled last year that the next deal would likely land the boxing promotion on a much more global platform beyond American borders. 

For now, per White, the two organisations are working in different directions. But this collaboration has the potential to become tomorrow’s negotiating table.