UFC and Skydance Corporation’s Paramount have announced new seasons of Dana White‘s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter, to launch in 2026 on Paramount+, the mixed martial arts organization and media company announced via a video segment (above) from UFC CEO Dana White at CCXP in São Paolo, Brazil.
The UFC section of the Paramount+ showcase at CCXP was hosted by UFC broadcaster André Azevedo and current two-time UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, as well as members of Brazilian MMA team The Fighting Nerds, which comprises Bruna Basil, Caio Borralho, Carlos Prates and Jean Silva.
The addition of the two UFC fight series expands upon the original 7-year media rights partnership between UFC and Paramount announced back in August, in which Paramount+ became the exclusive home of UFC events in the U.S., and October’s announcement, which expanded rights to Latin America and Australia (to commence in 2026).
Dana White’s Contender Series features a new crop of UFC hopefuls looking to impress the UFC president and UFC matchmakers for the chance to secure a contract with the organization. The show first premiered in 2017 and has served as a springboard for the careers of numerous fighters who went on to be UFC champions, contenders and stars, such as Sean O’Malley, Jamahal Hill, Jack Della Maddalena, Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, Bo Nickal, Maycee Barber, Jailton Almeida, Brendan Allen, Caio Borralho, Johnny Walker and more.
Meanwhile, The Ultimate Fighter, launched in 2005, features professional MMA fighters living together, following them as they train and compete against each other for a prized contract with the UFC. Those whose careers have been shaped by their participation in the reality series include: Julianna Peña, Kamaru Usman, Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Rose Namajunas, Michael Bisping, Robert Whittaker, Nate Diaz, Tony Ferguson, T.J. Dillashaw, Matt Serra, Michael Chiesa, Al Iaquinta, Kelvin Gastelum, Uriah Hall and others.
The UFC and Paramount partnership begins Jan. 24 when UFC 324 airs live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Paramount+, the first of 13 marquee numbered events scheduled in 2026.
