Every coin has two sides, but when it comes to Dana White’s UFC plans, one veteran combat analyst is concerned with the way he’s handling things. With the UFC’s current broadcasting agreement with ESPN set to expire later this year, speculation had been swirling about the promotion’s next move, whether to stick with ESPN or pivot to new platforms like Netflix. In a surprising twist, the rights instead landed with Paramount, officially ending the UFC–ESPN era.

Beginning in 2026, UFC events in the U.S. will stream exclusively on Paramount+ through a seven-year deal averaging $1.1 billion annually, totaling about $7.7 billion, slightly under the $1.5 billion Dana White & Co. had originally targeted. A select number of cards will air on CBS, but the deal replaces the pay-per-view model in the U.S., though international PPV remains untouched. Under the new setup, Paramount+ subscribers will get access to 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Night events per year, all included in the $12.99/month Premium plan with no extra PPV fee. But the question is, what happens once those seven years are over? And with Dana White’s plan to host a mega event at the White House, can the promotion capitalize on that momentum to make the sport even more popular?

Dana White needs a backup plan to avoid a slip-up

A few days ago, on the YouTube channel Luke Thomas Gets Political, the veteran journalist and Reese Waters discussed a troubling question: Why are so many fans walking away from MMA? Reese explained that he stopped following the sport when the UFC began openly embracing partisan politics, saying it alienated many longtime fans and shifted the sport from a global, inclusive appeal to a narrower brand. Luke Thomas added that he sees uncertainty ahead for the UFC.

“I don’t know what the future holds… it won’t be ascendant forever,” Thomas said. He echoed concerns about what might happen when political figures, like Donald Trump, are no longer front and center. For him, it’s a gamble with no clear long-term plan. “You know, again, maybe it’s old age. Maybe it’s 10 years from now, but at some point, he will not be in that place. What happens to these thing and this moment, and so, it’s kind of an interesting gamble,” he pointed.

He then pointed to data that hints MMA may already be slipping. “Globally, MMA might be on the decline,” Thomas explained, noting that in key markets like Russia, Brazil, and the U.S., events have been steadily decreasing year after year. He linked the peak of interest back to the Conor McGregor era in 2016, suggesting that the sport hasn’t matched that level of buzz since.

And despite the UFC’s record $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount, Thomas warned that the long-term future remains unclear. “So it’s like the UFC just signed a $7.7 billion deal, 1.1 billion, which is well above expectations. And it’s like, okay, so you are good for seven years. … but what happens after that?” he asked. For now, the promotion is secure, but what happens when the current momentum fades? While Dana White’s White House commitment may not bring much upside, his $7.7 billion deal has already lured a former two-division UFC champion out of retirement.

Former UFC double champ eager to step back in

A decorated Olympic gold medalist, Henry Cejudo walked away from the sport at his peak in 2020 after a six-fight win streak, only to return three years later on a four-fight contract. During his hiatus, Cejudo often teased a comeback if the price was right, famously saying he was “chasing green.” And that theme has resurfaced in the wake of the UFC’s massive Paramount windfall.

In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, ‘Triple C’ admitted the Paramount deal has changed how he views his future. When asked if he would fight again, he responded, “For sure, man, especially with the 7.7 billion… I would love to take a fight at the end of the year or the beginning of next year. I think that’s the timeline for me.” He added that while he was once leaning toward retirement, “once I heard the 7.7 billion, I figured it’s time to get some of that money.”

If he gets his way, Cejudo wants to run it back with Song Yadong, the fighter who handed him a controversial loss in Seattle after an eye poke that required surgery. At the time, Dana White dismissed any talk of a rematch, and though Cejudo campaigned for the result to be overturned to a no-contest, the judges stood by the decision and awarded Yadong the win.

Meanwhile, plans for the UFC’s White House arena are still in motion. Khamzat Chimaev has already expressed an interest in fighting on the card, and Dana White is expected to visit Washington in late August to meet with Ivanka Trump, who is reportedly overseeing the initiative. That said, what are your thoughts on what Luke Thomas said?