French pay-TV network RMC Sport – recently sold to CMA Media – has extended its exclusive rights deal for the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, through a deal with UFC's owner, TKO Sport.
In addition, the deal – struck today – also entails the acquisition of rights to the nascent Zuffa Boxing promotion (also owned by UFC), as well as the UFC BJJ Brazilian jiu-jitsu arm.
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Through this deal, RMC Sport – owned until earlier this month by beleaguered telecoms firm Altice – will air that trio of properties for a French audience.
RMC Sport has already shown UFC action in France for the last 12 years, as mixed martial arts in general has grown in popularity in the market.
The extension means it will continue to give airtime to French UFC fighters including Ciryl Gane, France's first UFC champion, Salahdine Parnasse, Nassourdine Imavov, Benoît Saint Denis and Manon Fiorot.
UFC BJJ, meanwhile, was founded by owner Dana White (who is also one of Zuffa Boxing's founders) last year, while Zuffa Boxing went live in September.
The first UFC event to fall under this new deal is set for October 24, while the initial Zuffa Boxing night falls on November 7.
RMC Sport is primarily focused on combat sports, covering promotions including Professional Fighters League, One Championship, Cage Warriors, KSW, and Hexagone. In addition, it shows International Judo Federation events and France Judo tournaments (including the popular annual Paris Grand Slam).
Through the sale announcement earlier in October, RMC will be rebranded to CMA Sport.
Altice’s fiscal performance has suffered dramatically in recent years, and as such is seemingly looking to shed excess divisions, of which RMC Sport may be considered one.
David Shaw, executive vice president at UFC, and also head of content and international, added: "UFC and RMC Sport have worked together to elevate MMA in France to new heights. The sport now has a passionate and growing fan base and a wealth of talent in the region, while UFC events continue to drive record attendance."
In terms of media rights deals in recent months covering these TKO properties, late July saw Japan's U-Next streaming platform snap up Zuffa Boxing rights.
Zuffa has also struck a deal in the UK and Ireland with pay-TV heavyweight Sky Sports.
Zuffa debuted on September 13 with its first major card, centered on the boxing superfight between Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
