Sony Pictures Networks India extends exclusive media rights for UFC in Indian subcontinent

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has announced a five-year extension of its exclusive broadcast rights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the Indian subcontinent. This agreement, effective from January 1, 2024, encompasses India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The UFC, widely recognized as the premier promotion for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) globally, boasts a massive and diverse fan base. Renowned for top-class fights featuring exceptional talent, the UFC provides a platform for fighters worldwide to showcase their MMA skills. The organization’s roster includes some of the most formidable names in the sport, such as Israel Adesanya, Leon Edwards, Jon Jones, Islam Makhachev, Sean O’Malley, Alex Pereira, and Alexander Volkanovski.

This extended partnership includes Indian fighters Anshul Jubli, known as ‘The King of Lions,’ and Puja Tomar. Jubli made history by winning the tournament for Asia’s best MMA prospects, ROAD TO UFC, securing a coveted UFC contract. Meanwhile, Tomar became the first India-born female fighter to join the UFC roster, adding significant momentum to the sport’s growth in the Indian subcontinent.

The comprehensive rights package outlined in the agreement includes exclusive coverage of 42 UFC LIVE events annually. This comprises 12 Pay-Per-View (PPV) and 30 Fight Night events, featuring both Main Card and Preliminary bouts. Additionally, fans can enjoy supplementary content such as UFC Countdown, UFC Connected, and Dana White’s Contender Series, a live fight series showcasing emerging talent vying for UFC contracts.

Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India, expressed enthusiasm about the extended partnership, stating, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with UFC for five more years. Sony Sports Network is the go-to destination for MMA fans in the Indian subcontinent. Our partnership extension with UFC allows us to continue the exclusive coverage of live UFC events in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, along with an expansive portfolio of programming to engage our viewers.”

Kevin Chang, Senior Vice President and Head of Asia at UFC, shared his excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing Sony Sports Network’s role in expanding the UFC brand in India. “We’re excited to extend our partnership and usher in the next generation of Indian talent,” said Chang.

Fans can catch the live coverage of UFC events on Sony Sports Ten 1 (English), Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi), and Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels. The partnership extension promises to provide uninterrupted access to high-quality MMA content, further fueling the growing enthusiasm for the sport in the region.