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MMA

12th Dec 2018

Big news for Irish MMA fans as UFC reportedly pulls out of deal with Eleven Sports

Jack O'Toole

The UFC have exited their deal with Eleven Sports and look set to revert back to their previous broadcaster BT Sport.

The UFC have reportedly triggered an exit clause on its exclusive deal, which was due to begin in January with the streaming company holding the rights to 42 live events due to take place next year as well as over 150 hours of UFC original and archive programming in a multi-year agreement.

The broadcast deal ended BT Sport’s five-year association with the UFC, however, ELEVEN Sports now look like they’re set on the verge of a collapse and are reportedly set to close after just four months amid concern over mounting losses.

The streaming service holds the rights to La Liga, Serie A, the UFC, as well as the right to various golf championships, but the UFC pulled the plug after ELEVEN failed to secure a carrier deal for the promotion.

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It is unclear whether the UFC will remain with BT Sport or seek out a new broadcaster, however, the promotion appears to have entered emergency discussions to iron out a television future within Ireland and the UK.

Meanwhile the Daily Telegraph report that the service’s football rights are set to be returned to their agent IMG who will look to resell.