‘Fits like a glove’: Foxtel signs exclusive UFC deal

“It needs to be something major for us to dig in, unless it’s on Australian soil,” he says. “You get the subscribers in and then they immediately leave, unless it’s part of a bigger narrative.

“So UFC fits like a glove.”

Commercial pay-per-view sales to 5000 pubs and clubs are a particular revenue driver, says Delany.

“You go to any pub and Fox Sports is all over the place. It’s becoming more like if you go to America, ESPN is in every bar and UFC plays a big role in that.”

Previously, UFC events could be accessed through Foxtel, Fetch, Main Event and the UFC’s own Fight Pass.

While Foxtel has long-term deals in place with the AFL and NRL, its extension with ESPN last week puts to bed the threat of the US network launching a local product for its sports codes – at least for the time being.

“They have profited tremendously from Kayo because Foxtel wasn’t growing, and we were really their only outlet.”

Foxtel has also had to fend off chatter of a local launch of Warner Bros Discovery’s HBO-led streaming service MAX after it extended a deal to keep shows such as The White Lotus, The Last of Us and House of the Dragon on Binge and its legacy product this year.

Delany says launching a streaming service is “very difficult” for the more niche players. “I don’t know why you’d do it.”

“The exuberance of subscription numbers has passed a long time ago, it’s now about revenues. If you look at the amounts we pay for these things, we pay a lot of money. It’s good business.”

UFC will touch down in Sydney in September for UFC293, with more local events touted.

UFC president Dana White said he was excited to be extending the broadcast partnership with Foxtel Group.

“Together, we will continue to grow UFC in Australia and they will be the destination for the biggest and baddest fights we put on year-round.”