Conor McGregor has broken his silence after UFC chief Dana White announced the UFC’s groundbreaking new seven-year deal with broadcasters Paramount+ and CBS that vows to end the pay-per-view (PPV) model.
The deal is said to be worth $7.7billion and will make all main event fights available to subscribers at no extra cost, effectively ending the model that has been used by the sport for decades.
The deal becomes effective as of 2026 and will run until 2033.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
UFC chief White described the deal as “historic” and explained the new model will make the sport “more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights”.
UFC chief Dana White confirmed the deal on social media | XThe 56-year-old added that the move will “put UFC amongst the biggest sports in the world”.
Undoubtedly one of the biggest stars of the sport, McGregor, has been absent from the ring since his loss to Dustin Poirier in their trilogy fight in 2021.
The 37-year-old moved into boxing, fighting legend Floyd Mayweather in one of the most lucrative fights in boxing history.
JUST IN: Alexander Isak transfer saga conclusion looking ‘increasingly likely’ with star still training alone
Conor McGregor has been absent from the octagon since his loss against Dustin Poirier in 2021
|Getty
With the PPV model seemingly coming to an end next year, it means the current records are set to be immortalised, with McGregor topping the list by some distance.
Remarkably, the Irish fighter holds the top seven PPV buys in UFC history, and took to his Instagram story to make sure everyone was aware.
“Long live the Irish king,” he wrote over the image of the top five UFC PPV buys.
READ MORE: Spanish Football Federation give green light to play historic La Liga game in United States
He followed it with another graphic, saying: “All McGregor.”
McGregor’s total PPV buys surpass an astonishing $1billion for the organisation, demonstrating a remarkable contribution.
President Donald Trump indicated his wish to host a UFC event at the White House for America’s 250th anniversary, and McGregor has indicated his intention to fight.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
The Notorious commented on his current UFC PPV records
|However, the Irish star has had a turbulent four years away from the octagon.
McGregor recently increased speculation of a return by confirming on social media that he had given his first drug test sample, which fighters are required to provide in order to compete in the sport.
Jon Jones also went through the same process after he retired before fighting Tom Aspinall. Bones is expected to join McGregor at the event.
The Notorious shared footage recently of him back in training, sporting one of his iconic mohawk haircuts, but was met with mockery from fans in the comments.
“Too slow,” one fan wrote, while another said: “You had your time, you have been away from MMA for too long now to think about going back.”