RMC Sport Extends Exclusive UFC Broadcasting Rights in France
RMC Sport has secured a multi-year extension of its exclusive broadcasting rights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship in France, maintaining its position as the home for MMA in the country. The pay-TV channel announced the agreement following its recent acquisition by CMA Media, though specific financial terms and the exact duration of the new contract were not disclosed in the official announcement.
The renewal builds on a relationship between the broadcaster and the world’s premier mixed martial arts league that spans about a decade. The previous broadcasting extension occurred in January 2023.
CMA Media Expands Combat Sports Portfolio Beyond MMA
The newly minted agreement extends past standard UFC events to incorporate additional combat properties under the same corporate umbrella. RMC Sport will now hold rights for Zuffa Boxing, a promotional boxing venture launched by the head of the UFC, Dana White, alongside the acquisition of UFC BJJ broadcasting rights for competitive Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments.
“This enhanced partnership with the UFC, Zuffa Boxing and now UFC BJJ builds on our long-standing commitment to making combat sports accessible to the widest possible audience,” said Karim Nedjari, general manager of RMC Sport, in the company’s release. David Shaw, executive vice president and head of international and content for the UFC, noted that both organizations have worked together to elevate the sport within the French market.
The broadcasting rights deal arrives shortly after a significant corporate transition. Shipping billionaire Rodolphe Saadé’s CMA CGM group finalized its acquisition of RMC Sport through its CMA Media branch in early October. The media division previously absorbed several former Altice properties, including BFMTV, RMC Découverte, RMC Story, and RMC radio, establishing CMA Sport as a dedicated entity aimed at making sports rights a major pillar of corporate development.
The Rapid Rise of Mixed Martial Arts in France
The long-term broadcast commitment arrives during a period of rapid expansion for mixed martial arts within France. State authorities officially legalized the sport in 2020 after having long dragged a sulfurous image. Since then, the discipline has captured a significant youth demographic, supported by strong engagement across social media platforms.
France has simultaneously developed a robust roster of elite international competitors. Prominent French fighters include Ciryl Gane, Salahdine Parnasse, Nassourdine Imavov, Benoît Saint Denis, and Manon Fiorot, driving domestic interest and viewership numbers for broadcast partners.
While mixed martial arts remains the core programming identity for RMC Sport—which also broadcasts alternate promotions such as Hexagone MMA, KSW, and the PFL—the network’s leadership intends to pursue a broader acquisition strategy for additional sports broadcasting rights as CMA Sport scales its operations.
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