UFC commentator Joe Rogan suggested that the UFC might soon be available on Netflix, potentially revolutionizing how fans access MMA content globally.
“I love Netflix. Don’t get me wrong. And I think the UFC might be going to Netflix soon,”
Rogan stated during a recorded discussion.
“Wild.”
The podcast host and longtime UFC commentator highlighted the international accessibility issues that currently plague UFC viewers outside the United States. Drawing from personal experience, Rogan explained,
“I was in Italy and on vacation. And I tried to access a UFC fight through my ESPN app. And it’s not available in this area.”
This geographic restriction creates significant barriers for international fans trying to follow the sport.
“It’s like, what are these people watching now? You can’t even watch the fights?”
Rogan remarked, emphasizing the limitations of the current distribution model.
Netflix’s global reach appears to be the primary advantage Rogan sees in a potential partnership.
“Netflix is international. It’s everywhere. It’s everything, yeah,”
he noted.
The timing of Rogan’s comments aligns with ongoing negotiations for the UFC’s next broadcast rights deal. The promotion’s current agreement with ESPN expires at the end of this year, and several major media companies are reportedly vying for these valuable rights.
Industry sources have indicated that while renewal talks with ESPN appear to be the most advanced, both Amazon Prime and Netflix are active participants in negotiations. The UFC is reportedly considering dividing its broadcast rights into separate packages, potentially splitting pay-per-view events from regular Fight Night broadcasts and other programming.
A Netflix partnership would represent a significant shift in the streaming landscape for combat sports. The platform’s presence in over 190 countries could potentially solve the international accessibility issues that Rogan highlighted.
While neither the UFC nor Netflix has officially commented on Rogan’s statement, his close relationship with the promotion as its most recognizable commentator has fans speculating about the validity of his claims.
For international UFC enthusiasts currently struggling with geographic restrictions, the possibility of having consistent access through a globally available platform like Netflix represents an intriguing solution to a long-standing frustration.
