UFC CEO Dana White has vowed to make a strong start to the promotion’s new partnership with Paramount. He mentioned that lightweight champion Ilia Topuria might be the headline fighter for the inaugural event under this new deal, which is set to kick off in January.
White revealed to reporters after Tuesday’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series that the matchmaking for the Paramount debut began “literally today.” He added, “We had matchmaking today and we started working on our first card for Paramount today.”
While some top UFC fighters like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor are aiming for fights on the June card at the White House, this doesn’t exclude them from potentially participating in the Paramount debut and another event six months later. However, McGregor remains sidelined as he is currently serving a suspension for violating the UFC’s anti-doping policy until March, and hasn’t fought since 2021.
Topuria (17-0) is one of the available big names but currently has no scheduled fights. He became featherweight champion by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in February 2024 and defended that title by defeating Max Holloway in October. After vacating the featherweight belt, Topuria moved up to lightweight, where he knocked out three opponents in a row, including Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant 155-pound title. When asked if Topuria might headline the Paramount debut, White replied, “That’s a possibility.”
White also reflected on the conclusion of the UFC’s broadcasting contract with ESPN and pledged to deliver high-quality events in the deal’s remaining months. “We’re always going to try to put together the best cards possible,” White said, praising ESPN for their partnership and promising a strong final performance for them.
Fan Take: This news highlights a pivotal moment as UFC transitions to a new broadcast home, signalling fresh excitement and opportunities for fighters like Ilia Topuria to shine on a new platform. For fighting fans, it means a potentially thrilling start to 2025 and a shift that could open new doors for the sport’s growth and exposure.
