Back in 2008, CBS struck a small-but-historic deal to bring a handful of MMA fights to primetime — the first time the then-upstart sport, still struggling for respect in some circles, had broken through the big-four broadcast-network barrier. Two decades later, the Eye network’s early investment is poised to pay off thanks to a just-inked, nearly $8 billion deal between TKO Sports and Paramount, the parent companies of MMA giant UFC and CBS.

The seven-year agreement announced August 11 will give the Skydance-owned Paramount exclusive access to all UFC events in the United States starting early next year, including 13 annual, numbered “marquee” events plus 30 so-called Fight Night bouts. All of the nearly four dozen bouts will stream live on Paramount+ at no additional charge. Per TKO ex

See Full Page