Zuffa Boxing Announces Paramount Plus Deal

Zuffa Boxing isn’t a fly-by-night venture; it’s a meticulously crafted entity designed to challenge the status quo in boxing. Formed earlier this year through a collaboration between TKO (the parent company of UFC and WWE) and Sela, the promotion draws its name from the original entity that launched the UFC in 1993, signaling ambitions to blend MMA’s promotional savvy with boxing’s storied legacy. 

At the helm are four titans of the industry:

• Dana White, UFC President and CEO, whose no-nonsense approach to event production has turned mixed martial arts into a global juggernaut. White’s involvement was initially unexpected—he’s long been vocal about boxing’s fragmented landscape—but a pivotal meeting with Saudi boxing czar Turki Alalshikh two years ago changed that calculus. 

• HE Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and President of the Saudi Boxing Federation, the architect of recent mega-fights like Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr. Alalshikh’s deep pockets and promotional flair have injected billions into boxing, and he’s already acquired The Ring magazine to bolster credibility. 

• Dr. Rakan Alharthy, Managing Director and CEO of Sela, the Saudi firm specializing in sports and entertainment ventures. Sela’s role ensures seamless operations across hospitality, events, and global distribution. 

• Nick Khan, WWE President and TKO Board Member, bringing WWE’s storytelling expertise to craft compelling fight narratives and superstars. 

TKO acts as the managing partner, handling day-to-day operations with minimal financial risk while earning fees for media rights negotiation (via IMG) and hospitality packages (via On Location).  This low-overhead model allows Zuffa to focus on what matters: stacking cards with elite talent and innovative formats.

A Packed 2026 Schedule and Streaming Strategy

The partnership kicks off with a robust slate of 12 live fight cards in 2026, with ambitions to scale up in the years that follow as fan demand surges.   All events will stream exclusively on Paramount+, making high-level boxing accessible via a single, affordable subscription— a stark contrast to the pay-per-view fragmentation that’s plagued the sport.

Select marquee bouts could spill over to linear TV via simulcasts on CBS or other Paramount platforms, broadening reach to traditional audiences.  Financial terms remain under wraps, but industry insiders peg this as a multi-year commitment that aligns perfectly with Paramount’s UFC deal, creating a one-stop combat sports hub. 

Zuffa’s mission? To “reimagine the sport of boxing” by establishing in-house rankings, new championships, and a push for regulatory reforms like amending the 1996 Professional Boxing Safety Act.  Expect undercards featuring Zuffa signees alongside mega-fights, with a focus on year-round action rather than sporadic spectacles.