BT Sport extends UFC rights deal and promises more coverage than ever before

Fight between Antonio Silva (Bigfoot) (BRA) and Soa Palelei (The Hulk) (AUS) during UFC-190 in HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Image: CP DC Press / Shutterstock.com
Fight between Antonio Silva (Bigfoot) (BRA) and Soa Palelei (The Hulk) (AUS) during UFC-190 in HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Image: CP DC Press / Shutterstock.com
BT Sport is to broadcast more than 150 hours of UFC content each year after extending its rights deal for the sport.

The broadcaster’s original three-year deal concludes at the end of this month and there had been speculation the sport could move to Sky or another rival.

However BT and the UFC’s governing body today confirmed their partnership would be extended until the end of 2018, with BT’s rights being expanded to include all US numbered pay-per-view events and all EMEA events.

In addition fans will see a host of UFC-related programming.

Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “UFC were one of the first partners that we announced back in 2013 when we launched BT Sport

“Since then we have both come a long way and I’m very happy to announce today that we will continue to grow the sport with even more exclusive UFC action live on BT Sport.”

“BT Sport provides the perfect platform on which to continue to grow the sport of MMA and UFC,” added James Elliott, general manager and vice-president of UFC EMEA.

“The potential for growth for both organisations is huge and we are delighted to be continuing our partnership and to be building something special.”

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